Somali army kills 23 al Shabaab terrorists

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Website
13 Aug 2023 15:50

The Somali armed forces targeted the positions of al Shabaab terrorist group in another successful operation.

Somali security officers patrol near the destroyed Hayat Hotel after a deadly 30-hour siege by al Shabaab terrorists in Mogadishu, Somalia, on August 21, 2022. (AFP)

The Somali army carried out an operation in the southern region of the country, killing 23 al Shabaab terrorists on Saturday, according to local reports.

The Ministry of Defense said the three military operations were conducted in Bula-Fuley, situated in the Bay region.

The operations resulted in the complete eradication of three al Shabaab bases, dealing a severe blow to the group's infrastructure. Among the targets were a key checkpoint, an explosives storage facility, and a crucial administrative office utilized by al Shabaab leaders.

"The 23 terrorists, including two commanders, were eliminated," the ministry stated succinctly in a release. This accomplishment not only disrupts the group's chain of command but also significantly weakens its operational capabilities.

This news follows another successful mission in the Hiran region just days prior where Somali security forces cooperated with international partners, to neutralize 25 al Shabaab terrorists in a well-coordinated operation, as confirmed by state media reports on Wednesday.

This series of successful operations has unfolded during a pivotal moment for Somalia's security landscape. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and its collaborative partners are poised to undertake a comprehensive assessment of phase one of ATMIS troop withdrawal, a process that concluded in June.

Since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's declaration of an all-out war against al Shabaab militants in 2022, the Somali National Army has accumulated multiple offensives against the extremist group.

The offensives have shown great efficacy with clashes in the Galgadud province in late July resulting in the death of over 100 terrorists inciting senior militants.