The Somali army kills 30 al-Shabaab militants in Lower Shabelle
As part of its ongoing efforts to restore security and stability, the Somali army a strong military blow to extremist groups, eliminating 30 members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist movement linked to Al-Qaeda, and wounding others to varying degrees, during a qualitative military operation that took place in the Lower Shabelle region in the south of the country.
Details of the joint military operation
The Somali National News Agency (SONNA) reported that this successful operation was the result of high-level coordination between Somali National Army forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The joint forces targeted gatherings of al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of the Bulongad military base. This decisive action came in response to desperate attempts by the militants to attack AMISOM forces during their security sweeps to pursue remnants of the terrorist group.
Field reports indicated that the armed forces recently managed to expel terrorist elements from strategic areas, most notably the coastal town of “Ghandarshi” and the “Jalib-Marka” axis, reflecting the remarkable field progress made by the army in those vital areas.
The context of the war on terror in Somalia
This operation is part of a comprehensive strategy adopted by the current Somali government under the banner of “total war” against al-Shabaab, which has been waging an armed insurgency against the central government for over a decade and a half. The group controls territory in rural areas of central and southern Somalia, but has faced increasing military pressure in recent months, losing control of dozens of strategic towns and villages.
The Lower Shabelle region is of paramount strategic importance due to its proximity to the capital, Mogadishu, and its fertile agricultural land. Therefore, securing this region is crucial for securing the capital and preventing the infiltration of terrorist elements, as well as for safeguarding supply and trade routes between the south and the capital.
International support and the future of stability
Military sources confirmed that the Somali National Army and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), with the support of international partners, are determined to continue their joint operations to degrade al-Shabaab's fighting capabilities. This international cooperation aims to promote lasting peace and security in the Horn of Africa, where stability in Somalia is key to the security of the entire region.
The data indicates that Somali forces have succeeded in regaining the initiative in recent months, supported by a local clan uprising and air and logistical support from international partners, which is tightening the noose on the extremist movement and pushing it to withdraw towards remote areas, in a positive sign towards the state regaining its full sovereignty over its territory.
