Al-Shabaab suffers defeats in Somalia war

Members of the Danab Brigade graduating class wear blindfolds while field-stripping their weapons as part of a demonstration during the graduation ceremony at Baledogle Airfield in Somalia on Aug. 3. Staff Sgt. Enrique Barcelo/U.S. Air Force

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least 59 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in the latest operation conducted by the Somali National Army (SNA), a move that showcases the ability of the military to deal with emerging threats even post-exit of peacekeeping mission troops.

A statement released by the government indicates that 59 militants were killed in one of the operations that took place in the vicinity of Gerile and Awsweyne (Galgudud region); while the second operation was conducted in the Hawadley area (Middle Shabelle region).

The government has admitted four soldiers were killed in the operation in eastern Galgudud. Central regions have been affected by the massive crackdown by the military against the Al-Shabaab militants, who still control large swathes of rural central and southern regions.

Although the militants are yet to counter the statement, the group has lost capability due to intensive operations by the local troops, closely assisted by the US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

The gains are welcome given that Somalia is undergoing transition with ATMIS set to be replaced by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), who are scheduled to report to duty in January 2025.

The ATMIS drawdown of troops in on the process and Somalia has since backed Egypt to take charge of the new mission from January. Somalia accuses Ethiopia of infringement of its territorial integrity and sovereignty, thus ruling out participation of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF).

In Ethiopia's place, Egypt has been proposed to take charge but the idea has been opposed by Uganda, one of the pioneers of the Somalia peacekeeping mission. Uganda accused Egypt of being opportunistic given that it has never been involved in matters with Somalia.

The government of Somalia projects that by the end if 2025, Al-Shabaab would have lost strategic towns across the country. The Somali National Army is preparing to take over security responsibilities under the Somali Transition Plan (STP).

GAROWE ONLINE