Special Forces from SNA kill Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least eleven Al-Shabaab militants were on Sunday killed by the Special Forces drawn from the Somali National Army in Bakol region, a top commander said, in yet another successful operation against the Al-Qaida linked group.

The militants were killed in the outskirts of Bakol, a region that has has been contested by the Al-Shabaab and government troops for a long time, with the clashes often leaving casualties.

According to Gen. Abdihamid Mohamed Dirir, the commander for Danab forces in southern Somalia, his team conducted sophisticated operations at Abal and surrounding villages, leading to an intensive gunfight between the two sides.

The Somali National Army managed to retake the villages which had been under the control of Al-Shabaab, and have since launched manhunt operation in a bid to trace those who survived and fled from the region.

"Our troops seized several villages in Bakol and a fierce gunfight against the militants. The operation left 11 of them dead and we're pursuing those who managed to escape the onslaught," said the commander, noting that none of SNA soldiers was injured.

"We are now in full control," Abdihamid told reporters, adding that: "The team shall now work with locals to ensure peace and stability within Bakol. We thank residents for being hospital and cooperative to our military teams."

Since March, the Danab forces, who receive special training from the American troops, have been raiding Al-Shabaab hideouts in Somalia in an operation which has left dozens of the militants dead.

But the operation has also left a number of military officers dead following roadside explosions engineered by the Al-Shabaab. For instance, a total of nine soldiers died following IED attacks in Bal'ad and Lower Shebelle last week.

At Bakol, residents said, the SNA troops opened fire against the militants leading to a fierce gunfight between the two parties. After some time, another resident said, some of the militants fled while others died instantly on the streets within the town.

But in a statement published by proxy media outlets, the Al-Shabaab claimed victory, arguing that the gunfight leftover 15 soldiers dead. But contrary to their previous norms, the group did not publish photos to ascertain their claims.

Earlier on, the troops had killed another top Al-Shabaab operative on Saturday in the border town of Galkayo, in an operation which also saw Puntland forces taking part, officials had said.

Mohammed Hassan Farah was gunned down in the town by the army officers and his body was displayed for public viewership. He had been on the run for several months, reports indicate.

In a statement published by Puntland security forces, a pistol, five cellphones, and several explosives were recovered from Farah, whose body was displayed for public viewership within the town which is found in troubled Mudug region.

"The commandos managed to kill Farah after some minutes of a gunfight. They recovered a pistol, cellphones, and explosives," read the statement on Twitter. "He was displayed for the public given that this was a tremendous achievement."

Farah, security forces said, is linked to a number of violent activities including the recent death of Mudug Governor Muse Nur, who died along with four aides after their vehicle was blown by an IED within Galkayo town last month.

Also, the forces added, the slain terrorist has been coordinating retaliatory attacks against SNA troops within Galkayo in recent weeks through the detonation of explosives targeting military convoys. The troops have been camping in the region in an effort geared towards eliminating the militants.

The Special Forces from Danab's 21st company played a major role in the onslaught, which Puntland forces said was "effective" and gateway to much-needed peace and stability in Mudug, a region which has borne the brunt of Al-Shabaab raids.

Al-Shabaab has lost considerable territories to government troops follow joint operations carried out by Somali National Army [SNA] along with African Union troops and the US Africa Command team.

GAROWE ONLINE