Somali army supported by allied foreign troops continue to mount pressure on the Al-Qaeda aligned Al-Shabaab.
In the past few days, the joint troops have conducted counterterrorism operations targeting the militant’s positions in southern and central Somalia regions, where increased militant’s activities have also been reported.
Somali army reported to have killed 7 militants among them an Al-Shabaab top ranking official in-charge of taxation operations near the south-western town of Bardale. Another five militants fled with gun shots.
The Al-Shabaab operative, identified as Salad Dere, was killed in a raid conducted by Somali security forces Bula Hawo village outside Bardale on 10 July.
Army reports noted that Dere was in a list of wanted Al-Shabaab officials who were involved in recruitment as well as extortion for the group.
Part of the militant group’s finances comes from the collection of money and livestock from residents in areas under its control, in a process known as Zakawat.
In a separate operation, SNA repulsed an Al-Shabaab attack in Awdinle town of Bay region and killed five militants.
Also, SNA liberated the areas including Mubarak and Daresalam during a sting military operation and further arrested the intelligence chief of Al-Shabaab group in the Lower Shabelle region, a military official announced on Sunday.
