Latest operation in Somalia leaves 43 Al-Shabaab militants dead
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Staff Reporter Garowe Online
- Posted On 05-09-2023, 05:59PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least 43 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in the latest operation conducted by the Somali National Army [SNA], with the country focusing on central regions where over 3,000 fighters were killed during the first phase of crackers against the group.
According to state media, the 43 militants were killed in Galgaduud, a region where the national army has been pitching tents for the last four months, cleaning some of the areas that were not exhausted during the first phase of operations against the group which is still dominant in Somalia.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Tourism revealed that SNA forces also destroyed three battle wagon vehicles belonging to the militant group during the operation. A number of militants were also arrested and would be arraigned in court soonest, it added.
The operation comes as the Somali government intensified its efforts to mobilize people to fight al-Shabab, a move it said seeks to galvanize public support in the ongoing offensive operation. Galmadug and HirShabelle states have witnessed massive operations in recent weeks.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, an advocate of the ongoing crackdown against Al-Shabaab, has been visiting central regions to personally supervise operations against the militants. Also participating in the operation are the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] and the US Africa Command.
The two teams have been providing both ground combat reinforcement and aerial surveillance, leading to massive gains on the battlefield according to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The president is also asking for non-ATMIS support from Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia just before the second phase of operations begins.
According to the government, the second phase will target Al-Shabaab's notorious hideouts in Jubaland and Southwest states. Somalia projects that by December 2024, several areas would have been secured from the rule of the Al-Qaeda-linked group.
GAROWE ONLINE
