Somalia: SNA eliminates over 30 Al-Shabaab militants

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army (SNA) has announced the elimination of over 30 Al-Shabaab militants, in the latest operation targeting the group in central regions where the military is actively involved in the crackdown as Somalia targets to completely finish the group.

For the last 18 months, the government of Somalia has activated operations against Al-Shabaab in central and southern regions, with close partnerships with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the US Africa Command.

A report by the government indicates that over 30 militants are in the vicinity of Carfuuda, about 20km northeast of Harardhere, Galmudug state.
The operation was the collaboration of Somali forces and international partners, per the statement.

It said the operation targeted two centers - for organizing and explosive preparations. The international partners have been consistent in their support against local forces, who have partly assumed ground combats as they prepare to take over security responsibilities.

Recently, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that the operations had yielded substantial gains, including the liberation of various strategic towns across the country which were previously under the control of the al-Shabab.

On Tuesday, Hassan Sheikh presided over a welcoming of the Türkiye’s domestically produced TCG Kınalıada Corvette, which docked at Mogadishu Port on the occasion of Türkiye’s National Sovereignty and Children's Day.

In his address aboard the navy warship, the President emphasized the strategic partnership between Türkiye and Somalia, particularly in the areas of humanitarian aid, security, defense, and economic development, state media reports.

He underscored the historical significance of the warship’s visit to our country’s territorial waters as a “sign of the enduring fraternal relations between the two brotherly nations and a new dawn for Somalia’s maritime security”.

The President also expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s support of Somalia’s efforts to protect its territorial waters within the framework of the recently signed Defense and Economic Cooperation. Turkey trains elite GorGor troops who play a key role in the elimination of Al-Shabab.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who sent a message of greeting to the ceremony, reaffirmed Türkiye’s strong support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, further stressing that “the historical relations between our two countries now point to a unity of destiny”.

GAROWE ONLINE