MOGADISHU, Jan 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Somali National Army (SNA) with the support of international partners killed 76 al-Shabaab gunmen after two days of fighting in the Mudug region, central region of the country.
SNA Commander Ibrahim Sheikh Muhidin said senior al-Shabaab commanders were also among those killed as a result of the fierce attack by the Somali army conducted on Jan 6 and early morning of Jan 7. He added that al-Shabaab terrorists suffered heavy casualties and lost 76 fighters in raids carried out in the past two days.
The SNA commander confirmed that the above attack destroyed al-Shabaab’s bases and vehicles. Muhidin emphasized that the Somali army is making progress in eliminating rebels in their strongholds in central and southern Somalia.
Al-Shabaab, a rebel group seeking to overthrow the government and linked to the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda, has faced strong pressure and attacks from government forces recruited by local militias supported by local authorities in Central Somalia.
Al-Shabaab was driven out of the Somali capital Mogadishu in 2011, but the terrorist group is still capable of carrying out attacks targeting government facilities, hotels, restaurants and public places. — NNN-AGENCIES