MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Somali National Army (SNA) said Friday its forces killed at least 32 al-Shabaab militants were killed in two operations conducted in Lower Shabelle region.
The first operation conducted by government forces in collaboration with international partners targeted Sheekhow farm outside Awdhegle town, Lower Shabelle region, killing 27 fighters.
According to the state-owned media, five more fighters were killed in the second operation in the vicinity of Basra, between Afgoye and Bal’ad towns.
The development comes hours after the army captured a major al-Shabaab base in central Somalia, Elbur town.
The historic district of Elbur, which lies about 400 kilometers (249 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu was captured shortly after al-Shabaab fighters hastily fled the district.
Elbur, located in the central Somali region of Galgaduud, has been a stronghold for al-Shabab for nearly a decade and its capture represents a significant blow to the group.
Somali government is preparing to launch the second phase of operations to liberate all areas under al-Shabaab control.
Early this year, Somalia, and its neighbours (Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya) agreed to conduct a significant joint military offensive against Al-Shabaab dubbed “Operation Black Lion” to liberate remaining territories under the militants’ control to not only stabilise the Horn of Africa country but also secure the region.
The agreement was reached at a summit hosted by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and attended by the Heads of State of Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia.
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