Joint forces continue to mount concerted pressure on the Islamists’ Al-Shabaab from across different towns, localities and regions of the war-torn Somalia. The in the past few days, more than 30 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in army operations.
At least 8 Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab militants were on Sunday killed and several others wounded in army operation conducted near Awdheengle town, in the Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia.
In another army operation, Somali army confirmed that its forces killed at least 17 Al-Shabaab fighters and injured more than 20 others after a fierce gun fight in Daynunay village outskirts of Baidoa in Bay region, southern Somalia. This operation comes a day after the Islamist militants staged an ambush raid on military base operated by SNA in Daynunay.
In another notable operation, the US-trained Danab forces seized control of a strategic highway in Somalia that could significantly help open supply routes in the horn of African country, following years of Al-Shabaab control and harassment along the route.
Last week Thursday, Danab forces seized Lafaha-Raga highway which runs from the strategic port of Kismayo after hours of an intensive gunfight with the Al-Shabaab fighters. The highway has been under the militants for several years now before Danab’s special operation. During the operation another six militants were killed while several others fled after being overwhelmed by the special forces.
Central and southern regions of Somalia have been persistent theaters of confrontations between Al-Shabaab and coalition forces. The militants continue to stage ambush attacks on military bases and their convoys, taking advantage of thick vegetation to lay IEDs on MSRs which have also become a frequent norm.
However, more concerted operations are needed in order to sustain these made gains citing the fluidity of these two regions; central and southern of Somalia which have remained areas of contestation between Al-Shabaab and coalitions partner forces.
