Somalia: SNA neutralizes over 25 Al-Shabaab militants - minister

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least 25 Al-Shabaab militants were killed in Tuesday's crackdown in central Somalia, with the Army announcing that it inflicted injuries to dozens of other militants, as the security forces comb the region following a first phase of operations within the vicinity.

Special commandos targeted the militants in Bulo Burde and Mukayle villages in central Somalia, a few days after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited the region to assess the progress made in fighting the group, which is responsible for many deaths across the country.

Deputy Minister of Information of the Federal Government of Somalia, Abdirahman Yusuf Adala told Somali National News Agency [SONNA] that the army destroyed 16 vehicles in which the terrorists were preparing explosives at a big garage in the area during the operation.

“Somali National Army’s Danab unit conducted a well-coordinated military operation at Mukeyle area near Bula-burte in Hiiraan region this morning, the forces destroyed militants’ intent to arrange vehicles with explosives, the attack inflicted heavy casualties on the militias”, Adala said.

According to him, the Somali National Army was supported by regional troops and foreign forces, leading to significant achievement within the region. Hiiraan is considered as a bedrock of Al-Shabaab but clan mobilization has made it possible for Al-Shabaab to retreat..

Former Hiiraan regional Governor Ali Jeyte Osman is credited for the success in flushing out Al-Shabaab militants during the first phase, but he was sacked under unclear circumstances following a fallout with HirShabelle President Ali Gudlawe Hussein, who has since recruited a new governor.

"The operation comes days before the Government plans to complete the first phase and launch the second phase of the total war on the group fighters in the southwest and southern parts of the country," state media reported, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud maintaining that the group can be defeated.

The second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab will mainly target Jubaland and Southwest states, but President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the forces will first comb HirShabelle and Galmadug states where Al-Shabaab faced immense defeats during the first phase of operations.

GAROWE ONLINE