Somali Local Forces Kill Militants, Seize Weapons in Middle Shabelle Raid

GOOBJOOG NEWS | JOWHAR:  Somali local forces known as Macawiisley killed several suspected al-Shabaab fighters and seized weapons during a planned overnight operation in the forested Ciid-Ciidka area of Mahaday district in the Middle Shabelle region, a senior commander said.

Osman Beerey, the Macawiisley commander for the Mahaday sector who led the raid, said the operation targeted a militant hideout and resulted in the deaths of multiple al-Shabaab members.

“We neutralized several militants and recovered a cache of weapons and military equipment,” Beerey said.

He added that the bodies of four militants were later retrieved by the insurgent group and transported to the nearby village of Cali Fooldheere.

Beerey said Macawiisley forces have since taken full control of the areas cleared during the operation, part of ongoing efforts to drive the al Qaeda-linked group out of rural strongholds in central Somalia.