US-trained Danab troops raid Al-Shabaab meeting, kill senior terrorists

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A senior Al-Shabaab operative was among those killed in a special operation carried out by US-trained Danab forces, it has now emerged, in yet another dramatic shooting at Arabow area, 50 kilometers West of Buale town.

Abu Ayman, one of few foreign jihadists working with the Al-Shabaab militants, was killed along with two others during a fierce gunfight on Monday, as the special forces staged the operation to weed out the Al-Qaida linked group, Ismail Abdimalik, the Danab chief said.

The militants were holding a "special" meeting at the time of the operation within the region, but the agenda would not be established at the time, the officer said, adding that another crackdown had been launched to clamp down the militants in neighboring villages.

"We have successfully killed three militants in Arabow area within Buale town. They were holding a meeting at the time of the raid but the forces disrupted them, leading to a fierce gunfight," the Danab chief said, adding that the military was combing the area.

He added: "Our major success is the downing of Abu Ayman, a foreign fighter within the Al-Shabaab. He is among those killed and this is a major victory to the people of Somalia and all our friends across the globe."

Among others, he noted, the foreign fighter has been coordinating explosive brigade within Middle Juba and the surrounding areas like Lower Shebelle, where the Al-Shabaab enjoys the support and total control.

The terrorist, he added, has been on the radar of the special forces for a couple of years but had successfully evaded previous security traps. Throughout his stay in Somalia, Abu has coordinated several attacks against the civilians.

Ismail, who is among the veteran graduates from the US Africa Command, hailed the local community for "cooperating" with the security forces, adding that "we shall remain in this area until our people are fully liberated".

Federal Government of Somalia is keen to ensure all citizens are protected from violent extremists besides offering them fundamental necessities such as rights to education, unlike the Al-Shabaab which subjects them to torture, the Danab chief said.

Since the beginning of this year, both the Somali National Army [SNA], AU forces and the US Africa Command have heightened operations against the militants mainly in central and southern Somalia, leading to massive gains.

For instance, a US coordinated airstrike eliminated Bashir Qorgab, one of the senior coordinators in Saakow town. In April, another widely sought terrorist, Yusuf Jiis, was killed on the outskirts of Bush Madina.

Within the same period, the US has launched a record 39 airstrikes, the highest ever in the war-torn nation, the command said in a statement recently. Its troops have been in Somalia since 2008.

But the most recent battle in which Al-Shabaab militants suffered heavy losses was in Janaale town, within the Lower Shebelle region, where SNA and AMISOM troops managed to kill over 140 militants besides capturing 18, police said.

The militants have been leaving remote villages to towns due to increased airstrikes and ground combats, owning to the fact that the urban centers are rarely targeted by security forces, the UN said in a statement recently.

Danab forces along with police are expected to assume security responsibilities in Somalia from next year once the AMISOM troops leave. The group is credited for showcasing the capability of protecting civilians in the war-torn nation in as many months now.

For instance, it successfully foiled an attack at the Balligodle airbase, it's the main training center. The September 2019 attack left at least 11 militants dead, police said in a statement after the thwarted raid.

GAROWE ONLINE