Army re-ignites Al-Shabaab crackdown in central Somalia

Somali soldiers, part of an elite combat unit called Danab, preparing for live fire drills at a military base in Baledogle, Somalia, earlier this month. [Photo: New York Times]

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia - The Somali National Army [SNA] has re-ignited crackdown against Al-Shabaab militants in central Somalia, just a few months after the first phase of operations against the group was concluded in HirShabelle and Galmadug states, recording huge successes for the national army.

On Saturday, heavy fighting involving the Somali National Army and clan militia against the Al-Shabaab erupted in Bardhere in Beledweyne just within the Hiiraan region amid political heat following the sacking of Governor Ali Jeyte Osman, who was instrumental in clan mobilization.

The incident, it emerged, took place at least 22 kilometers south of Beledweyne, in what seems to be a new campaign to comb the region following the successful operations a few months ago. During the first phase, the Somali government had hinted, at least 3,000 militants were killed and several others injured.

Regional leadership had initiated a crackdown against Al-Shabaab in Tabantab and Mohamed Hassan villages with the government insisting on liberating a few villages which are still under the group. Al-Shabaab has lost several territories in recent weeks.

During the crackdown, sacked Hiiraan Governor Ali Jeyte Osman, who is seeking to establish an independent state for the region, led other bigwigs on the battlefield including lawmakers Mohamed Abduqadir Mohamed and Mohamed Abdullahi Buralle.

Also present was the commander of the 5th battalion of the 27th division of the Somali army, Mohamud Hassan Ibrahim Baakay. The leaders have been adopting the strategy of directly getting involved in the operations to motivate troops who are working to dislodge the militants.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been pushing to eliminate the militants to secure a free Somalia where stability will bring about the emancipation of the country on social-economic fronts. The United States Army and the US Africa Command have closely worked with the local army in the journey.

GAROWE ONLINE