Somalia army kills dozens of Al-Shabaab terrorists

MOGADISHU, Somalia - An operation executed by the National Intelligence and Security Agency [NISA] left more than 40 Al-Shabaab militants dead on Wednesday, the spy agency said, with Somalia now stepping up efforts to eradicate the group, which enjoys dominance in central and southern regions of the country.

The operation, NISA added, was aided by international partners who have been critical in the Al-Shabaab war for the last several years, including directly assisting the Somali National Army [SNA] in ground combats and aerial surveillance, along with advanced technologies which aid operations.

According to the spy agency, the operation targeted Yunbis area within the troublesome Lower Shabelle region where the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab is set to commence. The Al-Shabaab militants have however, lost significant grounds in the region for the last 10 months.

"On Wednesday, NISA and international partners carried out an operation in the Yunbis area of the Lower Shabelle region, killing over 40 Al-Shabab," the spy agency confirmed in a text, but the international community, the US Africa Command, is yet to give a report over the latest success..

State media reported that the area of target was the forested Fay Yusuf where the militants are said to have been planning an attack. The assault comes just a few days after a similar partnership left at least 45 militants dead after they were sighted plotting an attack in a nearby military base.

Al-Shabaab militants have also increased intensity of the attack in the country, with the latest being in Gedo where they targeted SNA base in Bardhere. Reports indicate that the attack left at least nine people including soldiers dead, just near an Ethiopian military base within the town.

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] has activated withdrawal from the country in compliance with the Somali Transition Plan [STP] and their are fears that the exit would leave a huge void. However, the government has prepared 20,000 soldiers who will take over security responsibilities.

GAROWE ONLINE