Al-Shabaab fighters suffer casualties in latest operation in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Shabaab militants suffered yet again immense losses in Somalia following the latest operations which are engineered by the Somali National Army [SNA] along with international partners and members of the local community, who have armed themselves in pursuit of the terrorists.

According to state media, the national army with the help of local militia, regional troops, and international partners, conducted two separate operations in Southwest state, leaving over 60 militants dead. The success comes a few days after the militants killed 25 SNA trainees in Mogadishu.

The operation, state media reports, targeted militants in El-Dhun Adegow within the Bay region while the second one focused on areas within the Goofgaduud and Waajid areas still within the southwest. The area is prone to Al-Shabaab attacks mostly targeting innocent civilians and security forces.

"Over 60 AlShabaab militants killed in a joint operation by Somali National Army and local residents in El-Dhun Adegow, Bay region. Operation is part of recent efforts to combat terrorism in Southwest Somalia, says Somalia’s SW State Information Ministry," state media confirmed.

Officials in Southwest State reported a fresh airstrike in the vicinity, the first within the region in as many months. The commander of Sector 60 of the army Brigadier General Hassan Isak Omar told VOA the strike took place between Gofguduud and Waajid.

According to Omar, the militants suffered heavy losses following the airstrike which also destroyed their weapons and vehicles. The road between Gofgudud and Waajid had been planted with IEDs, which reportedly restricted the troops from conducting more operations, VoA reports.

In coming months, the Somali National Army is set to launch the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab within Jubaland and Southwest, which has been dubbed as the 'final assault' according to government insiders. The Somali government is also looking for military assistance from neighboring countries.

The government insisted that the exit of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] will not affect the operations, despite data showing a looming deficit of soldiers on the Frontline. The Al-Shabaab militants have been struggling to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE