Somali forces neutralise Al-Shabaab militants in successful raid

Members of the Somali National Army, paramilitary troops and local tribal forces conduct a cleanup operation against Al-Shabaab terrorists in the Lower Shabelle region on February 13, 2024. (Photo: SNTV)

By Hanifa Adan
Friday, April 19, 2024

Somali army said that the military operation took place in the village of Taflow, 28 km south of the city of Baardheere in Bay Province, southern Somalia, the Somali national news agency (SONNA) reported.

The Somali Defense Ministry claimed on Thursday to have eliminated nine Al-Shabaab militants in the southern region of Bay in Somalia.

In a statement, the ministry declared, "The Somali National Army conducted a successful raid on an al-Shabaab base in Taflow village," further stating that the operation "neutralised nine terrorists and seized a cache of weapons and ammunition."

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Somali army said that the military operation took place in the village of Taflow, 28 km south of the city of Baardheere in Bay Province, southern Somalia, the Somali national news agency (SONNA) reported.

During the military operation, seven Kalashnikov rifles, a machine gun, and ammunition boxes were confiscated.

Somalia has long grappled with insecurity, primarily stemming from the activities of Al-Shabaab and Daesh/ISIS terror groups.

Security forces killed several members of the terrorist group in the central region last week. Authorities said they are making notable progress fighting this group, which had intensified attacks throughout Ramadan.

Since 2007, Al-Shabaab has been engaged in conflict with the Somali government and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) – a mission sanctioned by the AU and authorised by the UN Security Council. The group's attacks have intensified following Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's declaration of an "all-out war" against them in 2022.

Earlier this month, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared significant progress in the fight against Al-Shabaab and praised the national army and citizens for their courage in the war against the terrorists.

In his first-ever visit to the Harardheere district, which was liberated by the Somali army last year, he said "Today the military is happy. They have kicked Al-Shabaab out of this town and now children can go to school. They have been here and used to send us pictures every day and night"

Somalia's government-led forces captured the port town of Harardheere last year in one of their most significant victories since launching an offensive against the group in 2022. Al-Shabaab had held the town for more than a decade.