Somalia's Special forces recapture strategic village from Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU - Somalia's elite Danab Special Forces captured one of the most strategic villages within Galmadug, the military said, in what would tremendously help the military in pursuing the militants in the remaining parts of the central state which has been home to thousands of terrorists.

According to the military, the elite forces managed to recapture Ali Afrah village which is situated near the recently liberated Gal'ad town within the Galgadud area. It is within Galgadud that the government of Somalia has invested in the fight against Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked group.

Participating in the crackdown were also the Turkish-trained Gorgor soldiers whose name is derived from Eagle. The Danab Special Forces [lightning] are trained and equipped by the US Africa Command and are known for engaging in sophisticated operations across the country.

The village is situated almost 18 kilometers from Galcad District which is between Budbud and Towfiq in the volatile Galgaduud region. During the first phase of a crackdown against Al-Shabaab, the country managed to eliminate Al-Shabaab from several areas of the Hiiraan, Galgaduud, and Bay regions.

Mohamed Moalim Abukar Hassan, alias Sharib, the commander of the 9th unit, 18th battalion of the Gorgor regiment, was among the officers leading the forces. He informed the media that Al-Shabaab fighters had fled the village before the government forces arrived, and they encountered no resistance.

According to him, the country will continue with operations against the group will continue until all regions are liberated. President Hassan Sheikh recently launched a crackdown against Al-Shabaab with the second phase scheduled to target central and southern regions.

Somalia has reached out to Djibouti, Kenya, and Ethiopia who have pledged to add more soldiers to the country to help in the second phase of operations against the group.

Last week, the forces liberated several villages in Lower Jubba key among them Aw-Qumbale, El-adde, Anjel, and Janay Abadale.

GAROWE ONLINE