At least ten Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in the latest sting joint military operation conducted in the general vicinity of Mataban, Hiran region of Somalia. The operation also saw several weapons being seized in an intelligence-led operation.
According to Somali National Army (SNA) Chief Brigadier Gen. Yussuf Odowa, the sting operation also targeted Al-Shabaab tax office and base in Qabdho near Mataban in Hiran region, central Somalia.
Corresponding intelligence reports from the military indicate that the tax office and a makeshift base was being used by the outlawed militant group to fleece and extort money from local residents forcibly.
The Al-Qaeda associated militant group have on various occasions seized control of Mataban district which is strategic gateway city that links central and southern Somalia. However, joint troops have recently stepped massive operations against Al-Shabaab militants across the country especially in areas perceived to be their stronghold.
The militant group continues to stage surprise attacks persistently and stills controls large swathes of land in Southern and Central Somalia where they occasionally mobilize and launch their attacks.
Al-Shabaab is trying to destabilise the internationally backed Federal government of Somalia and impose its own strict interpretation of the Islamic Sharia.
