Somalia: Danab forces kill over 47 Al-Shabaab fighters

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The elite commandos; the Danab Special Forces have killed over 47 Al-Shabaab militants in the latest crackdown, just ahead of operations against the group in Jubaland and Southwest states, which is set to be activated in due course according to observers.

The operation on Sunday comes just a few hours after the Somali National Army reportedly suffered immense losses in Oswein village within central Somalia, with the government remaining silent over the tragedy that has been widely shared by several eyewitnesses.

Arab Dheeg Ahmed, the commander of the 5th unit of Danab Special Forces, said the operation was activated at Yaq Dabey area in Lower Jubba where the militants have been plotting an attack against innocent civilians and members of security teams in frontline states across Somalia.

"The commando forces, particularly the 5th unit, carried out cleaning operations in the Lower Jubba region to flush out criminals hidden within the forest, thereby thwarting any plot against the Somali people," stated Commander Arab Dheeg Ahmed.

Currently, most members of the Somali National Army [SNA] are stationed in HirShabelle and Galmadug states where they are combing following a fruitful first phase of operations against the militants. According to security teams, the first phase left over 3,000 militants dead.

The second phase is set to kick off in Jubaland and Southwest states but advance teams have already reported to the battlefield, making preparations for the onslaught. The Somali National Army is getting support from the US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS].

On Sunday, the National Consultative Council [NCC] under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud released a statement in which the country's leadership expressed solidarity with the national army besides discussing ongoing military operations, stabilizing recovered areas, and accelerating preparations for the second phase of a military offensive.

To strengthen the security of the liberated areas, the team deliberated ways of aligning the operations with the strategy of counterterrorism and preparing for the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab. A number of countries including Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia have pledged to deploy non-ATMIS troops in the operation.

The leaders also voiced concerns over the escalation of the Sool region conflict, called for an end to the war, and for the parties to exercise restraint, and protect the rights of prisoners of war. The Las Anod fighting has left over 250 people dead in northern Somalia, triggering tough reactions from members of the international community.

GAROWE ONLINE