Southwest kills several Al-Shabaab fighters, seize assorted weapons in Bay and Bakool

Forces loyal to Southwest state have killed several Al-Shabaab fighters in areas in Bakool and Bay region and seized over 10 AK-47 rifles.

South west Minister of disarmament and rehabilitation of militias, Hassan Husseint said soldiers launched operations to fight against Al-Shabaab fighters in parts of Bakool and Bay regions.

“Following the engagement, several Al-Shabaab were neutralised and several escaped with injuries. Some of the assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered,” he said.

Hussein has stressed the need provide the best possible security to the public and dissuade would be criminals with deployment of plain-clothed officers.

“We will be using officers various department to crack down on terror activities and pick up elements of security enimies” he said.

He noted that the move was aimed at eradicating “anti-peace” groups as well as restoring peace and security in Southwest state.

“This is a normal security operation of the security forces aimed at ensuring peace and security of our community and eliminate a few elements who want to cause trouble,” he said.

Al-Shabab group carried out multiple deadly attacks in Mogadishu and town across Somalia for the past few years, highlighting security challenges faced by the UN-backed government protected by the African Union forces in Somalia.

The group once controlled much of Somalia before the African Union and Somali forces drove the group out of Mogadishu in 2011.