MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – At least 47 al-Shabaab fighters and dozens were wounded following clashes with Somali forces in central Somalia, the country’s military confirmed Tuesday.
Speaking to the media, General Mohamed Tahlil Bihi, infantry commander of the SNA said the Somali military alongside the local militias backed by international partners conducted operations to hunt down al-Shabaab fighters in the Harardhere district.
The government forces seized the port town of Harardhere two weeks ago after al-Shabaab fighters vacated the town without resistance. The forces also captured Galcad and Eldhere towns.
“During two days long operations, our forces engaged in heavy fighting with al-Shabaab fighters. We killed 47 al-Shabaab fighters and we also recovered weapons and ammunition,” Bihi said.
The commander commended the support of the locals, saying the people in these areas regularly provide information about the Khawarij Al-Shabaab.
Since July, the government forces backed by local militias intensified operations against al-Shabaab fighters in south-central Somalia.
The government forces recaptured dozens of villages and towns in the Hiiraan, Galgadud, Middle Shabelle and Mudug regions.
Despite losing many towns, the group still wages deadly attacks on military bases and in major towns.
Last Friday, the group attacked the headquarters of the Mogadishu administration, killing at least five people including civilians and wounding seven others.
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