BAIDOA (Halbeeg News) – At least 25 al-Shabaab fighters have been killed and several other wounded after clashes with Somali national army in southern Somalia.
According to Somali deputy Minister of Information, Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala who spoke to the state-owned media, the government forces conducted a covert operation against al-Shabaab fighters in the west of Wajid district in Bakool region.
Al-Adala comfirmed that the forces recovered and medical kit during the operation.
“Our forces took swift action against Al-Shabaab terrorists who were trying to carry out an attack. We killed over 25 Khawarij fighters including senior commanders. We are committed to destroying the terrorist network in this region and throughout the country,” he said.
The development comes as troops from African Union are preparing to hand over the security responsibility of the country to Somali security forces.
ATMIS, in partnership with the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) this month concluded the successful drawdown of 2,000 troops, in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670 (2022).
Six Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) were handed over to Somali Security Forces (SSF) which include: Xaaji Cali, Miirtuquo, Cadale, Albao, Gherille, Aljazeera 1, while one FOB – Marka Ayub was closed.
Somali government has been fighting al-Shabaab fighters for more than 15 years. The group lost many territories including the capital to Somali military backed by African Union forces.
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