Somalia: Special forces break through militant base in Leego

Image

LEEGO, Somalia - The Somali government army claimed fresh military successes against extremists in the south of the country, saying its troops destroyed a key base during an operation, Garowe Online reports.

General Ahmed Abdullahi, the commander-in-chief of the U.S.-trained Special Forces unit, known as Danab unit told army radio that 10 Al-Shabab militants were killed after the commandos targeted and wiped out their base in Leego town.

Abdullahi said the militants used the bastion as a hub to collect a forceful Zakah/Zakat obliging every nomadic family in the area, which lies about 140Km [87 miles] from Southwest of Mogadishu, the Somali capital.

"Danab forces penetrated insurgents' base in Leego district in Lower Shabelle region during a ground offensive which also left at least ten fighters dead on Friday, 12th January," he added.

The troops encountered a resistance and engaged in a brief gunfight with the militants before taking over the entire camp, according to a local resident, who asked not to be named for security reasons.

The commander insisted that no civilians were caught in the raid, which comes ahead of a large-scale offensive against Al-Shabab militants in what the government called an "a final push" to root out the insurgents from the whole country.

Al-Shabab is yet to release its own statement concerning the attack.

The town has been the scene of a deadly attack on a base run by Burundian soldiers by Al-Shabab in June 2015 which killed dozens of peacekeepers serving with the African Union Mission to Somalia [AMISOM].

GAROWE ONLINE

Related Articles

Somalia’s Federal Government Accused of Undermining Federalism

The government of Somalia is pushing for the creation of a new federal state — SSC Khatumo, which includes Sanaag and Haylaan regions.

  • Somalia

    10-07-2025

  • 11:16AM

Somalia: Hormuud Salaam Foundation Wins Prestigious Social Impact Award at London Summit

The Foundation, which serves as the philanthropic arm of Hormuud Telecom and Salaam Somali Bank, was honoured for its far-reaching humanitarian work across Somalia.

  • Somalia

    10-07-2025

  • 08:31AM