​Somalia: Allied troops launch offensive against al-Shabaab in Gedo

BARDERE, Somalia- Somali government soldiers, along with Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF), began on Tuesday a joint military offensive against the militant group al-Shabaab in Gedo region, Garowe Online reports.

Bile Ibrahim, a Somali security official in Bardere town, said the allied forces launched an operation, with the aim of flushing out the militant group from their remaining rural strongholds in the region.

Ibrahim added that al-Shabaab fighters had fled from several small areas located in the outskirts of Bardere, before confronting the advancing Somali soldiers backed by KDF, serving with AMISOM.

“The allied troops wrested control of small towns near Bardere, but the objective is far beyond that. The operation will ensure that all the remaining areas in Gedo will be liberated and peace restored," he said.

Despite losing territory to coalition forces in recent years, the militants continued to carry out attacks against government and AMISOM targets, including raids on KDF’s army bases in El-adde, and Kulbiyow.

Kenyan military lost dozens of soldiers in al-Shabaab attacks since KDF crossed into Somalia border in 2011, to root out the insurgents following deadly attacks and kidnappings against aid workers in its soil.

GAROWEONLINE