Somalia: Militants killed in a fresh army operation

AFGOYE, Somalia - At least three militants were killed, and four wounded during an army operation against Al Shabaab in Lower Shabelle region of Southern Somalia on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

General Ahmed Abdullahi Ali Anood, SNA Operations Commander has confirmed that the members of Al Shabaab died in a counter-offensive at Basra, a small town located between Afgoye and Balad districts.

Basra is among 4 villages retaken by Somali National Army (SNA) from Al Shabaab following an assault in this week. The militants increased their presence in this area in a bid to collect "zakat" from farmers.

The SNA officials said government forces repulsed Al Shabaab after fighters attacked their military bases in Basra on Wednesday night as they try to regain control of their previous lucrative strongholds in the region.

Anood said the ongoing military movements in the Lower and Middle Shabelle regions are part of the offensive announced by President Farmajo which is aimed at flushing out Al Shabaab from the whole country.

This comes two days after the African Union's mission in Somalia has said it will withdraw 1,000 troops from the country 31st December this year, as part of plans to pull out all soldiers by December 2020.

GAROWE ONLINE