MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has urged locals living in al-Shabaab-controlled areas to avoid going near bases manned by the group, saying the governments will target those areas.
In a statement, the agency said the forces will target al-Shabaab-held areas as the government intensified operations against the group.
“We urge locals not to go near al-Shabaab bases as they are a target of Somali security forces,” the statement reads in part.
The agency further warned Somali traders against abiding by the order of al-Shabaab, saying the agency intel reports suggested the group summoned business people who failed to pay taxes to the group.
Somalia has launched a three-sided war against Al-Shabaab in central Somalia last year. In cooperation with local clan militias, Somali forces successfully recaptured dozens of towns in Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle, Galgadud and Mudug regions.
The government also claimed to have killed more than 2,000 al-Shabaab fighters since the operations commenced last year.
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