Somalia's Govt troops with support of foreigners target Al-Shabaab bases

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Al-Shabaab militants suffered significant blows on Saturday following a coordinated operation in the Hiiraan region, state media reported, in the latest wave of operations targeting fighters, who are directly responsible for instability within the country, given the level of sophisticated attacks.

According to state media, with the help of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] and the US Africa Command, the Somali National Army [SNA] fired missiles at Al-Shabaab militants who are said to have been in a meeting, conducted by senior leaders of the group.

Abdirahman Al-Adala, the Deputy Information said of the federal government of Somalia, said the troops conducted the airstrike at Qoob Yahaas, a village within Hiiraan state. The officer for not reveal the number of people who were killed in the attack, but reports indicate dozens of the militants may have died.

"The army and their allies dismantled the location, neutralizing the militants who had assembled there. They also destroyed two vehicles carrying the leaders of the Khawarij who were present. We will provide information about the casualties," he said.

Last week, the government confirmed that over 160 militants may have been killed in the operations, mainly within central and southern parts of the country. Most of the militants were killed on the battlefield following combats engineered by the Somali National Army with support from international partners.

Daudi Aweys, the information minister, hailed the forces for their "extreme confidence and commitment" to down the Al-Shabaab, who have been struggling to overthrow the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia. The national army has shown the ability to take over security responsibilities from foreign troops, he added.

Somalia has heightened war against Al-Shabaab on all fronts, with the government also going for the rogue officials who have been sharing intelligence with the militants. This week, 10 individuals among them two senior security officers were arrested by the National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA].

Also, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is in Galmadug where clan militia have been mobilized ahead of combing operations within the state and the neighboring HirShabelle, following the successful operation in the first phase. The government intends to clear the two states before starting the second phase in Jubaland and Southwest.

GAROWE ONLINE