US-trained forces' operation kills Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Special Forces drawn from elite Danab troops on Sunday killed 12 Al-Shabaab militants in Lower Jubba, a top army general has said.

Al-Shabaab militants have been on the killing spree in recent weeks, terrorizing security forces and civilians both within and outside Somalia.

For instance, the Al-Qaida associated group has waged at least 11 attacks in neighboring Kenya, killing dozens of people, local media said.

Although the militants have been drastically weakened, they have often launched lethal attacks, killing hundreds in the process.

12 killed in the operation

Brigadier-General Adan Mohamed told the media that the fierce battle left at least 12 militants dead and about 15 critically injured.

He said: "Our forces engaged the militants in Lower Jubba and surrounding. We managed to kill around 12 of them."

The operation, Adan said, was one of the major achievements by the 16th Brigade of Danaab forces, who conduct delicate security operations.

Adan said the mission "will continue until we weed out these criminals without proper agenda and ideologies for this country."

Lower Jubba, Middle Shebelle and Lower Shebelle were earmarked as Al-Shabaab hotbed by both the United Nations and Federal Government of Somalia.

Troops keen to capture Al-Shabaab members 

During the operation, he said, the troops liberated Malayale, Janaale, Reneerow, Bandar Jadid as well as Bengal, about 37 km from Kamsuma.

It's one of the major recent operations after the new year which comes after the December 28th Mogadushu attack which left 90 dead.

But General Adan added that "the troops would continue to operate until al-Shabaab was pushed out of the Juba regions."

Somali National Army (SNA) has often received backup from allies, especially AMISOM and American troops during such sophisticated outings.

Human Rights Watch condemn Shabaab

Human Rights Watch recently implicated Al-Shabaab of mass murder, abductions and child abuse, citing incidents especially in Juba and Shebelle.

Al-Shabaab, the report said, "targets civilians linked to the government for brutal executions and torture besides abusing children's rights."

Even though the group has been substantially weakened, it continues to extort businesses to finance her illegal activities across East Africa.

Among unscrupulous activities, they are engaging in includes the abduction of foreigners in exchange for a hefty ransom, mafia-style taxation and support from sympathizers.

Foreigners targeted in the raids

In recent weeks, the insurgents have also targeted foreign nationals and security officers in their well-coordinated deadly raids.

General Stephen Townsend, the commander AFRICOM, said: "we shall not tire until Al-Shabaab is completely eliminated."

The militants raided a US Naval Base in Lamu a fortnight ago, killing three Americans. The operation attracted the attention of the Pentagon.

Mark Esper, the Defense Secretary, said "we shall ensure perpetrators are brought to justice. This will not go unpunished."

US has a total of 500 troops in Somalia, who aids SNA in logistics among other duties. The fragile FGS is also backed back over 22,000 AMISOM troops.

GAROWE ONLINE