Joint operation leaves 25 Al-Shabaab militants dead in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least 25 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in the latest operation by the Somali National Army [SNA] with the help of foreign troops, state media confirmed, noting that the gallant soldiers will not hesitate to protect the interests of the people of Somalia.

For the last six months, the Somali National Army has been pursuing Al-Shabaab militants in central and southern Somalia, leaving hundreds of the militants dead. The US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and local militia have been collaborating in the fight.

The National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] also participated in the exercise, state media noted. NISA has lately been active in the fight against Al-Shabaab, but there have been complaints previously about their conduct, ranging from alleged execution and detention of innocent civilians.

According to state media, the 25 militants were killed at Hawadlay village in Middle Shabelle where Al-Shabaab also killed dozens of civilians earlier this week. Somali National Army boss General Odowaa Yusuf Rageh had indicated that the militants will be dealt with.

Yesterday, the commander of SNA's 3rd battalion Colonel Abshir Shataqey and several soldiers were killed in a car bomb and gun attack on a military base in Hawadley town which was liberated last year from the militants. [Read here].

The defeated militants have been carrying out sporadic retaliatory attacks across the country following the sustained operations. However, the SNA troops and local militia have managed to contain them, further pushing them out of the vicinity while liberating strategic towns.

Earlier this week, the government troops managed to liberate Gal'ad and Haradhere towns, which has been the main operation center by the militants. According to government reports, the Al-Shabaab extortionists have been collecting revenue from the center which helps in the facilitation of the activities.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has insisted that the government will not pull back in the ongoing crackdown. The United States has also been supportive through aerial surveillance and drone strikes which have been instrumental in flushing out Al-Shabaab from their hideouts.

GAROWE ONLINE