Al-Shabaab suffers setbacks in southern Somalia 

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali security forces, with the help of the international partners, targeted the al-Shabaab militants in the strategic Adan Yabaal district within central regions, inflicting significant losses to the team which controls large swathes of rural central and southern regions.

According to reports, the militants lost 12 fighters after the security teams targeted the hideouts within the Hirshabelle state, which is considered a hotbed of terror activities across the federal republic of Somalia.

Senior operatives were among those killed by the security teams. The local militia also participated in the operation, signifying close collaboration between the security forces and local fighters who are also on the battlefield..

The Ministry of Information said the joint offensive targeted a key Al-Shabaab logistics base in the Aden Yabaal district, which the group reportedly used to stockpile weapons and coordinate attacks.

“Combat vehicles, weapons caches, and other critical equipment used by the militants were destroyed during the operation,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that the mission achieved its objectives without major resistance.

There is a deliberate effort to degrade the militants even as the country struggles with internal political feuds, driven by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s push for constitutional reviews, which have ignited sharp divisions.

The al-Shabaab militants have been fighting for the last two decades, intending to control the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia. The group, however, has suffered immense losses due to superior military operations conducted across the country.

GAROWE ONLINE