Somalia: more than 20 members of Al-Shabab during a joint operation

The Somali Defense Ministry announced on Friday the death of more than 20 members of the Al-Shabab movement during military operations in the states of Galmudug and Hirshabelle.

The Somali Defense Ministry said, through its spokesperson Cheikh Abu Bakr Mohammed, that more than 20 members of the Al-Shabab terrorist movement were killed during joint military operations carried out by the Somali army and the civil forces of the Galmudug and Hirshabelle states, located in the center of the country. The announcement was relayed by the official Somali news agency.

“More than 20 members of the Al-Shabab movement were killed, while others were injured, following joint military operations carried out by the army and the civil forces of the Galmudug and Hirshabelle States”said the spokesperson, stressing that during these interventions, the army also confiscated large quantities of weapons held by the group’s combatants.

These operations have targeted three strategic sites in the region, within the framework of the continuous efforts of the Somali government to eradicate the threat posed by Al-Shabab. This group, active since 2007, leads a violent insurrection against the Somali government and the transitional mission of the African Union in Somalia (atmis).

A week ago, a similar operation had already led to the death of 50 members of Al-Shabab in the district of MSEGway, in the state of Galmudug. These coordinated actions show an intensification of military efforts after the Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared a “Total war” against the terrorist group.