Somalia army kills Al-Shabaab terrorists

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Elite forces within the Somali National Army [SNA] dubbed Danab have killed 13 suspected Al-Shabaab militants, even as the country prepares for the second and perhaps final assault on the Al-Qaida linked group, which has wreaked havoc on innocent civilians and members of security forces.

At Lower Jubba region on Tuesday, state media reported, the Al-Shabaab militants were dealt a huge blow with the militants losing a total of 13 fighters. The crackdown left several others injured, Ahmed Abdullahi Nur, the 16th Battalion commander confirmed, while acknowledging support from locals.

According to Nur, seven AK47 rifle guns and one RPG were recovered from the militants during the special operation. However, as a tradition, he did not reveal the number of casualties on the SNA soldiers, who have been fighting against the militants awaiting full takeover of security responsibilities.

The security forces have vowed to intensify both air and ground operations to flush out al-Shabab militants who have been attacking the locals and collecting illegal levies from the residents. Somalia has trained over 20,000 soldiers who will take over from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops.

Al-Shabaab militants have lost key battlegrounds across the country mostly in HirShabelle and Galmadug states following a seven-month campaign that left thousands of the militants dead. The second phase will target Jubaland and Southwest states, President Hassan Sheikh confirmed.

The Al-Shabaab militants have, however, heightened operations against government soldiers, foreign mission troops, and innocent civilians, killing dozens of people in the recent past. The US Africa Command has been working closely with local troops to dislodge the militants.

Already, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has reached out to neighboring countries to ask for reinforcement from non-ATMIS troops, a request which has been guaranteed by Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia. Once they report for duty, the soldiers will only stay in the country for three months.

GAROWE ONLINE