Somalia’s army increases pressure on al-Shabaab ahead of elections
MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Somali National Army [SNA] continued an attack on al-Shabaab militants on Saturday, this time targeting the Hiraan region of central Somalia, where the militants have controlled without impunity.
On Saturday morning, state media said at least six al-Shabaab soldiers were killed and several others injured during an operation near Bula Burte city in Hiraan, with the wounded now in military custody, who will interrogate them when they recover.
Hussein Hassan Jodah, SNA commander in the area, told the Somali National News Agency that the forces destroyed bases of the al-Shabaab terrorist militia group in the area during the operation, which lasted several hours.
“SNA forces killed 6 al-Shabaab terrorist militants and injured several others, destroying its bases near Bula burte city early Saturday morning. We are still continuing the operation against them, “Jodah said, adding that the operation was still active.
He did not comment on whether there have been victims of SNA forces so far. However, deaths or injuries on the military side are usually a closely guarded secret, and only the highest commanders are allowed to issue such statements.
But al-Shabaab militants said they attacked the SNA and Djibouti forces in Bula burte and Jalalaksi towns in the same region with mortar in the middle of the night. The operation by Somali forces comes hours after the attack by al-Shabaab militants.
During the holy month of Ramadan, al-Shabaab’s attacks had diminished significantly in Somalia, but in recent weeks the group appears to have activated its raids across the country. It is aimed primarily at security forces and high-ranking government officials.
Al-Shabaab talks continue even as African Union mission forces plan an imminent withdrawal from Somalia following full implementation of the Somali Transitional Plan. [STP]. It is expected that the SNA forces will take over security responsibility in Somalia in December.
Although Al-Shabaab still controls large parts of the countryside in central and southern Somalia, the group has deteriorated significantly by Allied military forces. Several towns and villages have been liberated from al-Shabaab militants.
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