Airstrikes target key Al-Shabaab bases in Somalia
MOGADISHU, Somalia – More than 19 Al-Shabaab militants were killed in the latest airstrike in Somalia, state media reported, noting that the operation was carried out in central regions where the militants have been antagonizing local residents.
The airstrikes were activated in Ruunnirgood and Ceeldheer districts of Galgadud region, where the army has been active for two years since declaring all-out war against al-Shabaab militants.
The Middle Shabelle region is one of Al-Shabab's strongholds, and over the past two years several Al-Shabab militants have been killed by security forces. The airstrikes were specifically targeting the militants, officials said.
“During an air operation, a series of airstrikes targeted Al-Shabaab terrorists in Ruunnirgood and Ceeldheer districts, covering Middle Shabelle and Galgaduud regions,” state media reported.
“The attacks hit several terrorist hideouts, resulting in numerous casualties among the terrorists and the destruction of their vehicles and hideouts,” the statement said, pledging to provide further details.
Although state media did not reveal the military teams involved, most often the Somali National Army conducts such operations against Al-Shabaab in the presence of the US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
U.S. Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia have worked closely to clear al-Shabaab from strategic areas. So far, several areas have been liberated from the militants.
The ATMIS team is due to leave the country by the end of the year, but a new mission called the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is expected to take over. The mission will be led by Egypt, Somalia has insisted.
AXADLETM
