Danab forces kill second Al-Shabaab commander in Somalia within a week

SABLALE, Somalia - A senior Al-Shabaab Commander has been killed by Special Forces from the Danab troops, senior military officials told reporters, in yet another incident that showcases the genuineness and commitment in crushing the militants, who have been wreaking havoc across the country.

The Danab troops have been carrying out operations with the help of the African Union Mission Forces and those from the US Africa Command, and the outcome since March this year has been hailed as one of the most successful given the dramatic gains in areas dominated by the militants.

Military officials say that most of Al-Shabaab strongholds in central and southern Somalia have been liberated, with Lower Shebelle and Middle Jubba regions being the target of the security forces. The militants, however, still control large sections of the country.

According to reports, Mu'ad Dhere, a senior Al-Shabab commander killed along with 10 of his protection team after Danab forces stormed his house in Sablale, Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia, in one of the operations which further shows the capacity of the Somali National Army [SNA].

Dhere has been running Al-Shabaab operations in Lower Shabelle and his death comes after months of manhunt. Military reports indicate that he was in charge of explosives besides coordinating tax collection which helps run Al-Shabaab activities in the country.

"After a tip-off from residents that the terrorist commander and 10 others militants protecting him arrived in the town last Saturday night, our special forces Danab unit executed a raid on a house he was taking a rest and killed him on the spot," said a military officer, who spoke to Garowe Online via phone.

This week, Abdullahi Osman [Dhaga-Adde], a senior Al-Shabaab who was in charge of media killed during a covert operation by Somali special forces [DANAB] in a disclosed location in the Middle Jubba region, south of the country.

He's the latest Al-Shabaab commander to be eliminated within this year. In August, the security forces killed Abdulkadir Commandos, another notorious Al-Shabaab commander within Lower Shebelle, a region that is prone to frequent Al-Shabaab raids.

According to reports, the Danab Special Forces responded to a gunfight in the scene when the guards failed to surrender. The guards were protecting his compound at the time the security forces raided the region, with military officials terming the outcome "successful".

The Al-Shabaab militants still remain a major threat in Somalia's quest for stability. The US recently insisted that her troops will continue staying in the Horn of Africa nation despite earlier reports that President Donald Trump wanted to withdraw them.

GAROWE ONLINE