AFGOOYE (Halbeeg News) – Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers captured 11 Al-Shabaab suspects in Afgooye town ahead of President Farmajo’s visit on Wednesday.
Al-Shabaab fighters have been fighting to Somali government soldiers and AU troops since 2017.
In a covert operation jointly conducted by SNA and AMISOM troops, the forces apprehended the suspects including female fighter.
“We have arrested eleven Al-Shabaab following a successful operation in Afgooye town. Among them is a woman who used to fight alongside Al-Shabaab fighters,” said SNA official who sought anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
Another SNA official, Mursal Abdi Ali said SNA and AMISOM troops captured, middle-level Al-Shabaab commander in the operation.
“The operation took place in and outside of Afgooye town. We have so far arrested several suspects including head of Al-Shabaab Finance department in Afgooye town,” he stated.
The operations came as President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo is scheduled to visit Afgooye town today.
The security of the town has been tightened as the government deployed hundreds of Somali forces in the town.
Last Monday, over five people including civilians were killed after heavily Al-Shabaab suspects attacked security checkpoints in Afgooye town.
Afgoye is an agricultural and strategic town in the Lower – Shabelle region, located 30km (18 miles) from Mogadishu.
In 2012, government soldiers and AMISOM troops drove al-Shabab out of the town following a major offensive.
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