An operation involving foreign forces targets Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Nations Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has targeted Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia, leaving at least seven members of the group dead and several others injured in the latest crackdown within the Horn of Africa nation.

According to the agency, which rarely reports deaths of extremists, the militants were killed in the Fidow region on Friday within Middle Shabelle. The government troops have been spearheading operations within the region for a while.

The agency, which is in charge of investigations and gathering of crucial information, conducted the attack with the help of interconnectivity partners. The US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops have assisted the Somali National Army.

Although the US Africa Command and ATMIS have not confirmed the incident, they usually take a while before making the information public. Usually, thorough ground check and scrutiny is done to identify the names of the militants killed.

The al-Shabaab militants have been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia for the last 16 years but the strong resistance by security forces has put them at bay. The al-Shabaab group has also lost strategic areas.

For the last 15 months, the Somalia National Army (SNA) with the help of both ATMIS and US Africa Command, has managed to kill over 3000 militants. The second phase of operations against the group is set to kick off in Jubaland and Southwest states.

ATMIS troops have also started handing over security responsibilities to the Somali National Army in compliance with the Somali Transition Plan, with two groups leaving last year. It is anticipated by the end of 2024, all peacekeepers will have left the country.

GAROWE ONLINE