Somali army kills Al-Shabaab commander near the capital

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A senior Al-Shabaab leader was killed on Friday during an operation targeting an extortion center, the government reported, as the Somali National Army [SNA] continues with a crackdown against the militants who control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia.

According to the Ministry of Information, the senior leader who was killed was identified as Arab and was known as a coordinator of the militants within Mubarak areas in Lower Shabelle, Southwest state. The taxation outpost was mainly used for extortion.

The government said at least 10 other militants were critically injured following the crackdown, including Osman Daud and Aw Maay. The latter is said to have been the chief coordinator of the extortion in the region which is prone to Al-Shabaab attacks.

"The Al-Shabaab regional leader there who was named Carab was killed. Osman Daud, one of the senior-most militants in the area, and Aw Maay were injured. Aw was responsible for extortion in the area," read the statement from the department of information.

The ministry further said: "The target of the special forces security operation was the financial center of the terrorists. During the attack, the senior leaders were present. A number of civilians who were being held were freed."

Somali National Army and allies have been conducting security operations across the country mainly targeting Al-Shabaab militants and their taxation centers. It's through these centers the militants collect money from locals, consequently, using it to purchase weapons.

An audit carried out by the United Nations indicated that the militants have been setting aside $24 million for the purchase of weapons from their $100 annual budget. While most of this money comes from extortion, some come from the group's financiers abroad.

Meanwhile, al-Shabaab claimed to have fired a drone strike in Mubarak which killed 7 ‘most of them truckers and farmers. However, the reports could not be independently verified, but the US army recently confirmed that the militants are capable of using drones having sort improved technology.

GAROWE ONLINE