Somalia troops make significant gains against Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Despite recent setbacks, the Somali National Army SNA] has made significant gains in battlefields across the country, with calls to completely dismember the Al-Shabaab militants increasing from different quarters as the Horn of Africa nation fights for stability and development.

On Wednesday, SNA spokesperson Ali Anod revealed major victories by the national army with assistance from the local militia, the US Africa Command, and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] who have been supporting the operation to weed out Al-Shabaab militants.

In a press dispatch, the federal government of Somalia said SNA Force and local and international partner forces conducted two operations in Ceel Gorof [Galmudug] and in Basra within Southwest killing 50 and 47 Al-Shabaab militants respectively. The figures have not been independently verified.

Should the verification be done, this brings the total number of militants who have died within a week to over 200, a perfect response to the recent attacks in downtown Mogadishu which left slightly over 100 people dead. The deadly twin explosions also injured over 350 people in the country.

During the press briefing, Somali military Spokesperson Brigadier General Abdullahi Ali Anod reported that in 24 hours, the government and local forces seized Wabxo town, and four small villages - Wara Xoolo, Wara Gibile, Wara Dhuumole, and Ceel Gorof, all locate in Galmudug State.

Seizing of strategic towns and villages has buoyed the operation against Al-Shabaab, who have been pushed further to thickets and less dangerous areas where regrouping will be a major task. The federal government of Somalia insisted the ongoing operations are not about to end.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has insisted that the government will not relent in the latest onslaught while asking friendly nations to chip in and assist local forces to dislodge the militants. Since taking over in May, Hassan Sheikh has activated several operations around the country.

Al-Shabaab militants are said to be making close to $100 million annually with $24 million going directly to purchasing weapons. To further help in the fight, the US has slapped several senior Al-Shabaab leaders with sanctions including those believed to be financiers of the group.

GAROWE ONLINE