Somalia: SNA, AU troops launch new anti-al Shabab offensive

QORYOLEY, Somalia - Somali army backed by AU troops have launched an operation to flush out al-Shabab militants from the Lower Shabelle region, South of the country and secure main supply routes in the area, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking to Garowe Online over the phone, Colonel Hussein Hosh that the aim of the ongoing operation is to ensure the liberation of all the remaining areas under Al-Shabab control in the conflict-hit region.

Hosh added that the fresh offensive was launched in small villages on the outskirts of Qoryoley, about 120Km northwest of Mogadishu, the Somali capital, in response to the Al-Shabaab activity in areas.

The latest military offensive comes in the wake of a series of deadly terror attacks against Somali and AU military bases by the militants which killed dozens of soldiers and civilians.

On Friday, Somali army officer  said SNA forces killed senior Al-Shabab commanders near the district.

The Somali government leaders pledged the new offensive after the Oct. 14 truck bomb in Mogadishu that killed more than 500 people, becoming the worst single day attack in the country's history. 

Qoryoley has been under siege since it fell to government and AU forces in mid-2014, with reports that the extremists enter the town every night due to the weakness of the army.

The allied troops have been conducting joint operations in various parts of the country to drive out Al-Shabaab and liberate regions under the control of the militants.

AMISOM - African Union Mission in Somalia efforts enabled the fragile Somali government to take territorial control and to spread its influence following the decampment of the militant group.

GAROWE ONLINE