Somali army steps up operations against al-Shabaab after attacks
MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somali national army [SNA] has stepped up its operations against Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia, focusing on the southern and central regions, where they have waged a charm offensive over the past three months.
State media, citing military officials, reported that at least 13 militants were killed in the operation against Al-Shabaab in response to Saturday night’s mortar attack on the town of Awdhegle, in some 70 km northwest of Mogadishu.
At least 15 people were seriously injured in the mortar fire by militants, which targeted Somali military bases in the town of Lower Shabelle which was liberated earlier this year by Somali and AU troops.
In a similar operation, Galmadug’s local security forces and the Somali National Army launched an operation against al-Shabaab in areas around Ba’adweyne in the Mudug region, targeting militants allegedly linked to the attacks.
“Somali government forces, supported by Galmudug’s forces, carried out various operations in areas near the town of Ba’adweyne in the Mudug region, against Al-Shabaab,” state media reported.
The operation came after Al-Shabaab launched a mortar attack on the Ba’adweyne area, and forces carried out the operation between Shabellow, Amara and Ba’adweyne areas, all under the control of the SNA.
Officers of the 21st Division of the Somali National Army [SNA] said the operation was successful and they took control of new areas in the southern part of the Mudug region, near the town of Ba’adweyne.
AXADLETM
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