Al-Shabaab loses more villages in Somalia amid army offensive
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Staff Reporter Garowe Online
- Posted On 20-12-2023, 04:44PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Shabaab continued to lose more villages in central and southern parts of the country following a series of operations carried out by the Somali National Army (SNA) which is trying to secure most regions amid the ongoing withdrawal of African Union troops.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops have continued to leave the country in line with the Somali Transition Plan, with the contingent expected to completely withdraw by the end of December 2024.
On Tuesday, the Somali Army with the help of Galmadug regional troops captured two strategic villages, making a significant milestone in the fight against the militants, who have been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia.
Mudug region has been one of the major battlegrounds in the country with the national army camping within the region after the first phase of operations which was completed a few months ago. The national troops have been combing up the area.
According to reports, the troops seized Dhagahdher and Dahar Ali Khaylow villages south of Aad town in Mudug, where the militants have been planning lethal attacks against innocent civilians and members of security forces in the country.
The operation, officials said, will continue until the Al-Shabaab militants are completely dislodged as the country fights to restore stability after three decades of chaos and instability. Al-Shabaab militants have lost several strategic points.
The operation comes a day after the Somali government reported that a high-ranking al-Shabab commander in the south of the country was targeted in collaboration with the United States military.
US Africa Command confirmed the airstrike in the Middle Jubba region where the senior commander was killed but his name was not immediately identified. The government of Somalia and the national army intend to activate the second phase of operations against the group in Jubaland and Southwest states.
GAROWE ONLINE
