MOGADISHU, Sept 11 (NNN-IRIN) – Somali National Army (SNA)’s special forces, killed al-Shabab’s regional leader and wounded at least 20 others, in a security operation carried out in the Mubarak area of southern Somalia, the government confirmed, yesterday.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism said, the operation destroyed the terror group’s extortion centre, near Mubarak village, where they used to extort money from the people.
The ministry said in a statement, issued in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, that the special forces, during the operation freed civilians who were forcefully imprisoned by the terrorists.
“The target of the special forces’ security operation was the financial centre of the terrorist group, and at the time of the attack some al-Shabab leaders were present at the centre,” the statement said.
It said, the wounded included Osman Daud, who was the senior al-Shabab leader in Mubarak and Aw Maay, who was responsible for al-Shabab’s extortion activities.
“Somali public have begun reprisals against al-Shabab in several parts of Somalia, such as, Hirshabelle and Galmudug states, while the army continues expanding into the land controlled by the terrorist group,” the statement said.
The extremists have recently stepped up their attacks against African Union and Somali forces, especially in Mogadishu, targeting their bases, hotels, and other public places.
The terrorist group has been responsible for the death of hundreds of civilians in explosions, assassinations, and other attacks in several parts of the country.– NNN-IRIN
