A top army commander killed in IED explosion in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - One of Darwish forces Deputy Commander was on Wednesday killed in an IED explosion in the vicinity of Bulo Hawo, a village along the road to Qansahdhere, sources said, in one of the latest attack targeting a top security officer.

The commander of the forces in Southwest, whose name was not immediately revealed, is said to have run over a roadside bomb while patrolling the region, which has been recently under Al-Shabaab attack.

It remains unclear whether or not the commander was in the company of other officers but in recent weeks, Darwish forces have been participating in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants in Southwest, in an operation that has been ongoing for a while now.

The village is also located near Bardale, another remote village where Ethiopian National Defense Forces downed a Kenyan aircraft early this month killing six people on spot. The incident is still under investigation despite the fact that ENDF and AMISOM released statements acknowledging the "unfortunate" accident.

But in the neighboring Qansahdhere, another Kenyan plane was shot this week, although no casualties were reported. Elders and authorities from the village blamed Al-Shabaab militants, who are, however, yet to issue a statement over the incident.

His death also comes at the time serious operations against Al-Shabaab intensified in Southwest on Wednesday, leading to the death of two militants within the vicinity of Dinsor town, leaving several others injured. The operation was executed by the Darwish forces.

The operation was carried out in Xariima village, where the militants had gone rampant against residents in their usual antics of intimidations and harassment, while forcefully collecting taxes from the innocent civilians, the ministry added.

"Our regional forces based in Dinsor managed to kill two Al-Shabaab operatives who had been harassing innocent civilians within Xariima village. The militants were overpowered during the fierce gunfight," read the statement, perhaps the only known success by the regional forces.

The statement continued: "Several militants were injured during the gunfight that lasted for few hours. Our forces remain committed to ensuring that terrorists are defeated for the sake of safety and stability of the people of Somalia."

Bodies of the victims were displayed for public viewing, leading to congestion as residents scrambled to have a glimpse of the fallen Al-Shabaab men. Their identity was not immediately revealed but they are said to have been operating within the region.

Al-Shabaab has continued to target security forces in their unscrupulous operations along with top government officials, with their attacks increasing within various urban centers across the Horn of Africa nation.

For instance, the militants killed Nugaal Governor Abdisalan Hassan Hersi and his Mudug counterpart Governor Muse Nur in a separate IED explosion in Garowe and Galkayo respectively. The Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility but no reason was given for the assassination.

Early this week, Al-Shabaab also targeted Gen. Ali Hersi Barre, a police commander in Mogadishu in two separate failed explosions. But in the first incident, his guards were killed and others injured, leading to condemnation from the federal government of Somalia.

Southwest is one of the notorious terror hotspots and has recently been under surveillance from Africa Union forces and those from the US military. Several airstrikes led to the capture of Janaale town in March, and dozens of militants have since been killed or surrendered.

GAROWE ONLINE