Somalia: Senior military officer killed in Al-Shabaab explosion

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A senior Somali National Army (SNA) officer was killed on Saturday in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) believed to have been planted by the Al-Shabaab militants in Southern Somalia, officials said, terming the death as a 'blow' to stabilization mission in Somalia.

The Al-Shabaab militants usually target innocent civilians and security officers in their cowardly attacks but have lost significant territories to the Somali National Army which activated operations across the country targeting the militants.

According to reliable sources, Col. Mohamed Nur Mad-Dhere of the 8th Brigade under the 60th Division was killed on the outskirts of Baidia town, the regional administrative capital of Southwest State. The death comes at the time the Somali army is set to start the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab.

The soldiers accompanying him were seriously injured in the incident and have since been rushed to hospital for treatment. Sources noted that the a military vehicle carrying the soldiers was hit by the landmine.

Col. Mad-Dhere was a decorated soldier and was widely known to be one of the foremost soldiers in South West State. The state along with Jubaland is set to host several military officers who will spearhead the operations against Al-Shabaab.

The first phase of operations against Al-Shabaab targeted the group in Galmudug and Hirshabelle states and at least 3,000 militants were killed.

The second phase was delayed due to logistical challenges, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said.

Al-Shabaab militants have been largely neutralized and the Somali government believes by the end of 2024, they will have lost the war. Since the beginning of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's term, Al-Shabaab has lost several strategic villages across the country, reports indicate.

GAROWE ONLINE