Several Al-Shabaab militants killed in southern Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Several Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in southern Somalia, authorities confirmed, in the latest crackdown spearheaded by the Somali National Army [SNA] and international partners, who have been coordinating operations against the group which is dominant in the country.

According to state media, the airstrike engineered by the United States army targeted the militants in Lower Jubba where senior Al-Shabaab militants were holding a meeting in the country. While it is not clear what the militants were meeting for, they however conduct routine meetings.

The airstrike, officials said, was waged at Jamaane District in Lower Jubba following intelligence reports about the meeting.

This is the third airstrike in as many months within Somalia according to statistics by the US Africa Command. Recently, the military targeted Al-Shabaab in Jilib town, injuring a senior leader.

In the coming weeks, the second phase of operations against the Al-Shabaab is set to commence in Jubaland and Southwest states, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud calling for support from the neighbors. Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia have pledged to send soldiers for the operation against the group.

The airstrike comes ahead of the planned strategic withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] soldiers, who have been working in the country for several months. In the first phase, 2000 soldiers are set to leave the country and it is anticipated that by 2024, all soldiers would have left.

Al-Shabaab militants are under onslaught from the US Africa Command, ATMIS, and the Somali National Army who are set to take over security responsibilities. Somali National Army maintains that it is ready to take over a number of tasks from foreign troops.

GAROWE ONLINE