Somalia army liberates more villages from Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army [SNA] has continued to liberate more villages in troubled Somalia, with the government now set to unveil the second phase of operations against the militants whose huge presence in central and southern Somalia has been a thorn in the flesh according to security analysts.

At Lower Shabelle, the military continued with operations uninterrupted, targeting strategic villages which are fundamental for the fight against Al-Shabaab. The villages Have previously been under the lethal administration of Al-Shabaab which uses threats and intimidation to govern people.

Some of the villages which were captured include Jowhar Awdhegle, Ay-Butey, Gumeysidid, Kali Cafimad, and Buulo-Nagey, under the districts of Awdheegle, Janalle, and Number 50. The Military has been wrestling against the militants for the last 16 years, making tremendous progress in the process.

The military confirmed that it had destroyed checkpoints and fake courts where the group was extorting money from people and public vehicles. The government is keen to block Al-Shabaab from raising revenue from locals which helps them to run the criminal gang by purchasing weapons and paying fighters wages.

The local militia along with the US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] have been instrumental in helping the national army to tackle Al-Shabaab militants. For some time, since July 2022, Al-Shabaab has lost significant territories in Galgaduud, Hiiraan, and Bay regions.

President Hassan Sheikh has officially announced the beginning of the second phase of operations in the country to eliminate the group. Hussein Sheikh Ali, the national security advisor, says the government will still focus on Galmadug and HirShabelle states in the second phase of operations.

The operations have been significant in the sense that the government has taken control of strategic towns and even started the restoration of normalcy by installing civilian administrations. The Al-Shabaab extortionists have been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia for the last 16 years.

GAROWE ONLINE