Somali troops retake strategic town, frees 33 child "soldiers" from Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army [SNA] conducted yet another sophisticated operation on Friday, state-owned media reported, which targeted sections of Kuntuwarey town in the southern part of the country, leading to the liberation of the region, which has been one of the hideouts of Al-Shabaab militants.

Kuntuwarey town is located on the road between Somali capital Mogadishu and the port town of Barawe, which is manned by troops from the Ugandan People's Defense Forces [UPDF]. Friday's operation was also aided by the Ugandan troops, who have been critical in pushing for law and order in Somalia.

The operation, officials said, helped the joint multi-agency team free at least 33 children who were under the custody of the Al-Shabaab. The children were being trained on handling guns, which goes against the international convention which bans recruitment of children to active militia and gangs across the country.

During the melee, officials added, several prisoners were also freed from Al-Shabaab jail within the town. According to the state media, dozens of Al-Shabaab militants were killed along with their commanders but the correct figure is yet to be released by the elite SNA soldiers and their AU counterparts.

The children had been taken by the Al-Qaeda linked group from their homes in Lower Shebelle, one of the notorious hideouts, and were being for an impending indoctrination, the army said, adding that they will be repatriated to their families once they undergo guidance and counseling.

According to multiple sources, the operation targeted Al-Shabaab infrastructure, which is critical in helping the militants fulfill their extremist agenda. The Danab forces, who are trained by the US Africa Command, will continue with the operation in several parts of the country, reports indicate.

Four Al-Shabaab commanders were killed in the operation by the US-trained Somali special forces [DANAB].

The Somali National Army is set to assume security responsibilities from the Africa Union Mission troops who have been in the country for slightly over a decade. Under the Somali Transition Plan, the AMISOM troops will leave Somalia in 2021, ending their decade-old expedition.

Since the beginning of the year, the troops working jointly with SNA, have managed to liberate several strategic towns in the country. Perhaps, the most notable one was Janaale, a revenue collection center, which fell to the joint government troops on March 16 this year.

The operations have left dozens of Al-Shabaab militants dead following ground combats in different parts of the country. Statistics are taken by the US Africa Command also indicate that over 60 militants have been killed from airstrikes launched by the Federal Government of Somalia in conjunction with the US army.

Last week, General Yusuf Odawaa, SNA's top commander, said the army is expecting to liberate several parts of the country still under Al-Shabaab. The militants have close to 7,000 active fighters mainly in central and southern Somalia, but they remain significantly degraded due to ongoing joint operations.

GAROWE ONLINE