Somali military says killed scores of Al-Shabaab militants
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Staff reporter GAROWE ONLINE
- Posted On 29-01-2022, 01:09PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - An operation waged by the Somali National Army [SNA] within the last two days has left Al-Shabaab militants with heavy losses, in the latest significant success against the Somalia-based terror group.
The SNA Force on Friday announced that the operation majorly in Lower and Middle Shabelle was extremely "successful" in the manner in which it was executed, noting that the militants suffered heavy casualties.
The SNA contingent said the operation was carried out in the villages of Marerey, Mukay-Dhere, Shalow and Yaqle villages, all located on the outskirts of the town of Balad, in the country's Middle Shabelle region, according to a security officer in the region, who spoke to Anadolu Agency over the phone.
According to the officer, there was a fresh fight on Friday between the military and Al-Shabaab in the outskirts of Muku Dhere village after the militants engaged the residents in a firefight. At least eight civilians were killed, officials said.
Initial reports had indicated that the militants attacked villagers after it emerged that women within the region were supporting the Somali National Army's operations within the region. It was more of a retaliatory attack.
Balad is a strategic agricultural town located 40 kilometers [24 miles] north of the country's capital, Mogadishu. The town has been witnessing battles between Al-Shabaab and SNA due to its strategic location.
The commander of the 27th Division of the Somali National Army, Salah Yaqub also confirmed the operation to local media, saying they carried out the offensive against Al-Shabaab and killed 28 terrorist fighters and destroyed their hideouts.
Somalia is battling against the militants who have controlled large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia, but there has been significant progress in recent years following cooperation between SNA and the AMISOM troops.
GAROWE ONLINE
