Somalia army recaptures Al-Shabaab base

The Somali National Army [SNA] has recaptured the strategic Al-Shabaab base in the Lower Jubba region, the military confirmed on Monday, noting that the base was located in Qunbi village where the militants have been training new recruits besides waging attacks in most cases.

The militants' base, security officers said, has been a target of the Somali National Army for months since the activation of the nationwide Al-Shabaab crackdown which has lasted for the last seven months. Security forces termed the progress as a "tremendous development" for the people who Somalia who have been held, hostage.

The base, army sources said, was a strategic shelter for Al-Shabaab in the Lower Jubba region where the group's influence has significantly nosedived. Present during the capture was the Jubaland regional soldiers who have been fighting alongside the national army in the Al-Shabaab war.

According to the statement issued by Jubaland Interior Ministry, there were no casualties on the part of the national army and the Jubaland regional soldiers. The Al-Shabaab, the statement acknowledges, suffered immense losses with hundreds of them reportedly arrested and are due to face prosecution.

Yusuf Hussein Osman Dhumal, the Jubaland security minister, insisted that security forces are determined to liberate more regions from the jaws of Al-Shabaab terrorists. Already, security forces have seized several strategic towns since the war on Al-Shabaab was declared in July 2022 by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Earlier on Sunday, the Jubaland security team confirmed the deaths of several Al-Shabaab militants following an attempted raid at Afmadow District. The fighting left at least six members of Darwish forces critically injured but they have since been evacuated to a number of hospitals for further medication, the team added.

The commander of the Jubbaland Darwish army forces for the Afmadow district, Mahad Mohamed Islam, said that the regional forces foiled the al-Shabab attack by exploding one of two explosive-laden trucks before it reached its target. This was a major milestone because, in previous attempts, Al-Shabaab have managed to kill many soldiers in barracks.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared full war against Al-Shabaab in Somalia which is projected to end sometime in December 2022. The Al-Shabaab extortionists have lost significant towns in the country and the government has insisted on completely flushing out the group.