Over 130 Al-Shabaab militants killed in Somalia - defence ministry

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Over 130 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in the last few operations around Somalia, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed, noting that the national army is determined to restore the rule of law and order in the Horn of Africa nation.

The operations, the Ministry of Defence said, were carried out in Galmudug, HirShabelle and Jubaland states within the last few days, just as the national army pushes the militants out of the strategic locations where they have been antagonising innocent people.

According to the ministry, the government will continue to support the Somali National Army which is taking over security responsibilities from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) who have started withdrawing from the country.

ATMIS has been in charge of security in Somalia for the last 16 years but the contingent has been gradually withdrawing from the country. The second phase of withdrawal is expected to end on December 31st, 2023, with the last team also set to leave by December 2024.

The latest crackdown comes a few days after the US army activated multiple airstrikes in Middle Jubba which left at least 10 militants dead. The US army also killed a senior Al-Shabaab Command in Jilib Town in Middle Jubba.

Moalim Ayman, the man behind the Manda airstrip attack in coastal Kenya, was killed on December 17th, with the Somalia government terming it a "milestone" in the fight against the group. Only the government of Somalia has announced the death.

The government has announced total war against Al-Shabaab, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud calling for international support. The US and the African Union have continued to push for the elimination of the militants.

GAROWE ONLINE