Kenyan and Ethiopian Al-Shabaab fighters killed in Somalia

KISMAYO, Somalia - The Security Forces in Jubaland state have intensified the crackdown against Al-Shabaab militants, officials said in a statement, with the latest operation taking place in the notorious Weelmarow village in Lower Jubba, about 45 kilometers from Afmadow town.

According to reports, Jubaland regional troops with assistance from US-trained Danab Special Forces, killed at least 17 militants within the village. The regional team in the intelligence docket participated in the raid, officials said, noting that security teams had planned the operation.

The regional security agency claimed that a number of photos were retrieved from phones associated with the militants. Among those killed, the agency added, were Al-Shabaab fighters mainly from Kenya and Ethiopia, who had been conducting attacks in the country.

Intelligence teams have previously linked a number of foreign fighters to destruction and bombing in Somalia, with a number of them dying in the process. Al-Shabaab has been recruiting fighters mainly from Kenya and Ethiopia, with most of them assigned to conduct sophisticated operations.

Wednesday's operation in Weelmarow is the fourth in quick succession given that the US Africa Command activated three airstrikes last week which left a number of militants dead. On Tuesday, officials said, at least 50 Al-Shabaab militants were killed within the vicinity of Weelmarow.

According to reports, senior regional soldiers also died on Tuesday in the Al-Shabaab raid, key among them, Siyaad Sandhere, who died in the suicide bombing. Top Al-Shabaab commanders and fighters also died in the incident, authorities added.

The Al-Shabaab militants have been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia which has struggled with instability for the last three decades. The national army is set to launch the second phase of operations against the Al-Shabaab group within Jubaland and Southwest in due course.

GAROWE ONLINE