Fierce clashes in central Somalia leave over 30 Al-Shabaab militants dead

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least 30 Al-Shabaab militants were killed on Saturday morning following fierce clashes between the Somali National Army (SNA) and the terrorist group, officials said, hinting that several fighters were also critically injured during the encounter.

The operation was activated by the SNA team along with local forces, backed by the militia, who have been integral in the fight against Al-Shabaab. The security team targeted Qay’ad village in Mudug, just within Galmudug state in central Somalia.

Military sources told the state media that over 30 militants were neutralized during the encounter, the highest number in as many months. Over 40 militants wounded during the battle are suspected to have retreated to Elbur town.

The fight also left Mohamed Bashir Muse and Maaday Foodey dead, ending their reign of terror in central Somalia. The two have been coordinating Al-Shabaab activities within the fragile central regions of the Horn of Africa nation.

"In a successful operation by the National Army and local forces in Qay’ad, Mudug resulted in the deaths of nearly 30 al-Shabaab terrorists, including top leaders Mohamed Bashir Muse and Maadey Foodey," a statement from the state media confirmed.

"Over 40 wounded terrorists retreated to areas near Elbur," the statement further read, acknowledging the support of the local militias.

However, Al-Shabaab released images purportedly showing its fighters ambushing SNA units near El-dher town in central Somalia’s Galgadud region, claiming that it had killed 36 soldiers in the attack. They could not substantiate the claims.

The government of Somalia had announced total war against the Al-Shabaab militants, with the operations leaving close to 4,000 fighters dead. The al-Shabaab militants are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE