Somali Army, Local Forces Kill 70 Al-Shabaab Fighters in Hiiraan-Middle Shabelle Offensive

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somali government troops, backed by local militia fighters from the Hiiraan region, Sunday repelled a wave of attacks by al-Shabaab militants along the border between Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle.

The joint military operation, which lasted nearly 48 hours, resulted in the deaths of more than 70 al-Shabaab fighters and the capture of a significant cache of weapons, according to Somalia’s Ministry of Information.

The operation marks a major blow to the al-Qaeda-linked group’s efforts to regain territory in central Somalia. Government forces are continuing pursuit operations against remaining militant elements in parts of Middle Shabelle, military sources said.

“The Somali National Army, together with local defense forces, demonstrated exceptional coordination and courage in neutralizing the threat,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Federal Government praised the efforts of the army and the people of Hiiraan, calling their role “vital in defending their communities and weakening terrorist operations.”

Al-Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency against the Somali state for more than a decade, frequently carries out attacks against government and civilian targets. The group has been designated a terrorist organization by the United Nations, the United States, and other international bodies.

Mogadishu has vowed to intensify its offensive against the group, with support from local communities and international partners, including African Union forces.

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has prioritized the campaign against al-Shabaab, urging a nationwide mobilization to “liberate every inch of Somali soil.”