SNA commandos capture Al-Shabaab bases in Somalia
MOGADISHU, Somalia – At least 14 Al-Shabaab bases captured by Somali National Army [SNA] Commandos commonly referred to as Danab’s special forces, state media reported, as part of the ongoing crackdown on militants who control large rural areas of central and southern Somalia.
Over the past seven months, the Somali National Army has carried out operations against Al-Shabaab in various parts of the country, sometimes working under the command of the Chief of the Defense Force, General Odowaa Yusuf Rage, who is a noted infantryman. in the army. .
Last week, the activists suffered huge losses, with more than 300 members dead in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions, where they headed local administrations. Hundreds more have also been arrested and are due to appear in military courts.
And in another major victory, militants lost at least 14 bases to AT on Monday, as the military destroyed them in an operation. Several weapons and improvised explosive devices [IEDs] were recovered, state media added.
“The Somali National Army commandos [DANAB] destroyed secret bases belonging to Al-Shabaab terrorists during a planned security operation in Middle Sh. region on Monday afternoon, SNA commanders reported, ”state media said. “14 Shabaab hideouts in the area have been destroyed in the past 3 weeks. “
A number of Al-Shabaab strongholds have been taken over by the military, which is building a strong local administration before the African Union mission forces leave the country. African troops to depart by end of 2021 upon full implementation of Somali transition plan [STP].
But despite the gains, al-Shabaab managed to retake Marin Gubay in the southwestern Bay area, following the unprecedented withdrawal of the Ugandan People’s Defense Force. [UPDF] who kept the city just on the outskirts of the ancient city of Barawe.
Lower Shabelle Governor Abdulkadir Mohamad Nur Sidi told VOA that Somali government forces should have replaced AMISOM, which did not happen. It is not known why the SNA troops did not show up to the bases in time as planned before the UPDF exited.
However, the governor is convinced that the army’s operations have borne fruit in the region, adding that the terrorist group has been considerably weakened. According to him, the Somali army is ready to assume security responsibilities in the country.
“The Governor of Lower Shabelle, Abdikadir Sidi, said the Somali National Army’s joint operations with AMISOM had weakened terrorists in the region, forcing Somali security forces to assume security responsibilities,” added the official media.
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