Al-Shabaab bases raided in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Turkish-trained Gorgor commandos raided and seized several Al-Shabaab bases in central Somalia, police said, in an operation which comes a few days after the Somali National Army [SNA] with the help of international partners conducted joint operations within Galmadug and HirShabelle states.

On Wednesday, the elite commandos ransacked parts of Gal'ad town in central Somalia within Galgaduud, one of the regions where the first phase of operations was held. Also in that picture were US-trained Danab Special Forces, officials confirmed.

During the crackdown, officials said, the elite troops seized bases in El Ali, Afrah, El Timir, and Towfiq, all of which are located within the Gal'ad district. The Al-Shabaab has been using the bases to wage attacks against security forces, members of the public, and senior government officials.

Abdiwali Ahmed Hussein, the commander of Gorgor's 9th unit, confirmed that the military is currently engaged in joint operations within Galgaduud to comb the area. Early this year, Galgaduud was earmarked as one of the areas the government has managed to liberate from the militants.

The Al-Shabaab militants were dislodged from most parts of central and southern Somalia but some remnants have often carried out sporadic attacks against security forces and innocent civilians. The operations were meant to completely secure the region for civilian administration, officials said.

Somalia is actively engaged in the war against Al-Shabaab and the second phase of operations will mainly target Jubaland and Southwest states, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud revealed. Soldiers from Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia who are not serving in peacekeeping missions will participate in the operation.

According to reports, the militants mainly from the two states have started crossing over to Kenya, forcing the East African nation to rescind a decision to open borders with Somalia. The militants have recently heightened attacks on Kenyan soil, necessitating the unprecedented decision.

GAROWE ONLINE