Ethiopian troops kill Al-Shabaab militants in Southern Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Ethiopian National Defense Forces [ENDF] intensified the onslaught against Al-Shabaab militants in the southern part of the country, in the latest operation that is aimed at securing the country from the militants, who have been causing havoc in Somalia.

Ethiopian National Defense Forces operate in areas within Southwest and parts of Jubaland, where they have been trying to liberate huge sections of the country from the militants. They had first participated in operations within Mogadishu before AMISOM came into force.

Mohamed Mukhtar Abdi, a deputy District Commissioner in charge of the security, told reporters that the troops managed to crush at least nine Al-Shabaab militants, who were on the mission of raiding their bases besides attacking innocent civilians.

The militants, he said, had targeted Qansahdhere district in the Bay region in southwest state. This is the first time the Ethiopian troops are repelling an Al-Shabaab attack within Somalia in 2021, after encountering a number of them last year.

"We are happy that the Ethiopian troops managed to repel an Al-Shabaab attack in Qansahdhere, Bay region. The troops managed to kill nine militants. They have since secured the scene. I am urging the people to continue working with our security teams," he said.

Bay region has been a major hotspot for Al-Shabaab militants throughout the year but they have often been met by resistance from loyal troops. Al-Shabaab has lost grip of strategic towns within Lower Shabelle and Middle Jubba, where they have enjoyed a monopoly for years.

Elsewhere, a police officer told Garowe Online this morning that a blast within Mogadishu resulted from an IED that took place at Abdikasim road in the capital, but didn't immediately establish the number of casualties or the target of the militants.

GAROWE ONLINE