At least 50 Al-Shabaab militants killed in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least 50 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in a series of operations within Jubaland state in southern Somalia, officials said, marking the beginning of the scheduled operations within the region which has been under Al-Shabaab captivity.

The Somali National Army Special Danab Unit with the help of Jubaland forces managed to also arrest many Al-Shabaab members during the operations, officials added. The operation in Lower Jubba was the first one in as many months.

Abdirahman Adala, the deputy information minister, said at least 50 had been killed in confrontations with the national army while 20 were arrested and will be arraigned in court for trial. The army will continue with the operations, he added.

"Over 50 terrorists were neutralized in ongoing operations across Lower Juba, with 20 additional detentions. The Deputy Minister of Information Abdirahman Adala, confirmed these developments to State Media."

The second phase of operations against the Al-Shabaab was scheduled to start in Jubaland and Southwest sometime back in 2023 but was delayed due to logistical challenges. The forces focused on combining exercises within Hirshabelle and Galgamadug.

Official records show that at least 3,500 militants were killed during the first phase of operations while over 2000 were critically injured. The Al-Shabab, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said, may have started recruiting after the massive losses.

Somalia anticipates that by December 2024, most of these militants will have been eliminated as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) soldiers plan the exit. Already, over 5000 Mission troops have left the country in compliance with the Somali Transition Plan.

GAROWE ONLINE