The Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab earlier in the week has significant blows from counterterrorism operations conducted in prefectures of Galgadud, Middle and Lower Shabelle regions of Somalia.
On January 23rd, Al-Shabaab suffered a huge blow in counterterrorism operations at Showro village near Guriel in the Galgudud region of central Somalia. Reports indicate that, Counterterrorism forces killed six Al-Shabaab militants, including a regional commander, and also defused a vehicle-borne IED. Military intelligence sources indicated that Al-Shabaab militants were planning to attack Guriel town.
In another humiliating raid by counterterrorism operators, Al-Shabaab suffered defeat in general vicinity of Hawadley and Jameo, located on the outskirts of the Balad district, about 40 kilometers north of the Somali capital Mogadishu.
Corresponding local sources reports indicate that separate operations saw at least eight villages that were under the captivity of Al-Shabaab were recaptured and at least 10 insurgents killed in the operation in regions of Middle Shabelle and Lower Shabelle.
Counterterrorism operations involving local troops and allied troops continue to deal huge blows to Al-Shabaab in theater. US and Turkey also continue to take active role in the fight against the Islamist Al-Shabaab by training Danab Special Forces and Gorgor forces respectively.
Despite concerted military pressure, Al-Shabaab still controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia and operations activated by AMISOM and SNA troops have seen the group substantially degraded.
