Somalia: Al-Shabaab loses strategic town to ATMIS and SNA forces
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Staff Reporter Garowe Online
- Posted On 04-10-2023, 11:49AM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - After weeks of heavy artillery and gunfire exchange, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops have managed to seize a strategic forest from the Al-Shabaab militants, in yet another notable milestone in the fight against the Al-Qaeda-linked group.
In a statement published by ATMIS, the mission team confirmed that Ugandan and Burundi contingents participated in the operation, which targeted the Cali Fooldhere forest within the Middle Shabelle region, within the HirShabelle state of Somalia.
During the operation, the forces managed to confiscate Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices, ATMIS said. The forest is used by the militants to hide the vehicles used in the attacks besides helping them on matters of logistics and planning.
"The Cali Fooldhere forest has particularly over the years become a strategic location where the terrorists wage deadly attacks and conceal ammunition including vehicles for Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices," said Lt. Gen Sam Okiding, the Force Commander.
"I commend the brave efforts of our gallant ATMIS troops and the Somali National Army [SNA] to degrade Al-Shabaab. ATMIS is fully committed to the implementation of the Somali Transition Plan which will culminate in the transfer of security responsibilities to Somali forces," added Mohamed El Amine Souef, the ATMIS boss.
The mission troops are set to leave the Horn of Africa nation in the coming months, with already 2,000 of them exiting in June in compliance with the Somali Transition Plan [STP]. However, Somalia has made a request to the United Nations Security Council, asking for a technical pause on the withdrawal of ATMIS troops.
For the last several months, the Somali National Army with assistance from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] and US Africa Command has made significant strides in the fight against the militants. The group is holding a thin advantage in central and southern Somalia.
GAROWE ONLINE
