SNA to launch new offensive against Al-Shabaab in central Somalia

Somali National Army (SNA) in Central Somalia is to launch fresh offensive to roust Al-Shabaab Islamist fighters from towns and villages, army  officials said Friday.

The commander of SNA, Brigadier General Ali Bashi Mohamed, said that ‘’Operation will be launched soon and aimed at liberating the towns and areas controlled by Al-Shabaab in central Somalia.

“Thorough operation to smoke out Al-Shabaab from the towns will be launched soon …. The enemy is fleeing and the forces are making successful advances so far,” Mohamed.

He said  the troops intended to move forward with regard to operations, securing and stabilizing Somalia.

“The operations will not stop until the Al-Qaeda militants are eliminated.” he pledged.

The Somali army, alongside the Africa Union peacekeeping force, has intensified the fight against Al-Shabaab, killing a number of militants in recent days, although the militants are still able to stage periodic attacks, mostly in the capital Mogadishu.

Over the past few years, with help from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), many cities that were once al Shabaab strongholds were taken back by Somali forces.