Al-Shabaab leaders killed in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least seven Al-Shabaab militants were killed in central regions of the country following operations carried out by the Somali National Army (SNA), officials said, noting the contributions from the local forces who also joined the crackdown.

The seven militants were killed in Ali-Adhole within El-Dheer District, a region which the militants have tried hard to take months after losing it to the national army. The army has been camping in the region for months, maintaining law and order.

During the operation conducted early Wednesday, the national forces also destroyed the militant’s base in the area and recovered various weapons. Galmadug was one of the states where the first operations phase against Al-Shabaab was mooted.

Joint operations against Al-Shabaab have achieved the common strategic goals, with Al-Shabab losing critical frontlines in the struggle. Local communities have also been joining security officers in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud pledged to eliminate the militants by the end of 2024, with his pronouncements informing the ongoing crackdown which has shifted to Jubaland and Southwest states. The initial operation targeted the militants in Galmadug and Hirshabelle.

The al-Shabaab has also strained to collect revenue after the government imposed restrictions on businesses funding the group. Over 250 bank accounts and 70 mobile money transfer firms were closed over links to Al-Shabaab.

Somalia forces are set to take over full security responsibilities after the exit of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) whose tenure expires by the end of this year. After that, the structure and leadership of the operations would be controlled by the Somali forces.

GAROWE ONLINE