AMISOM Operations Kills 18 Al Shabaab Militants in Central Somalia

Key Highlights

• 17^th August 2015, At least 18 Al Shabaab militants have been killed in military operations in two towns in Central Somalia, during the operations, two senior Al Shabaab commanders were killed.
• The operation launched by African Union Mission in Somalia troops happened in Ceel Hele and Ceel Goras in central Somalia’s Galgadud region.
• The operation saw Somalia army along with African Union forces successfully defused improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that were planted along the routes.
• The military operation was also carried out by coalition forces in several towns including Beledweyne and Buulo burde towns in central Somalia’s Hiiran province.
• On another operation, Ethiopian warplanes hit militant bases in Masagawaa location an area under militant rule.
• The warplanes hit the militant bases where senior militants were believed to be holed in strategy meetings.

Assessment

Credible OSINT report indicates the war against the Harakat al Shabaab al Mujahideen in Somalia has intensified.

AMISOM troops have intensified their campaigns against the Al Qaeda affiliated group, the Al Shabaab in their respective sectors.

According to AMISOM press release, the troops have made significant gains against the militants. Somalia army, backed by AMISOM peacekeeping troops claimed control of Bardheere, Berhano, Tergent, Nur Fanah, Grasian and Halgen towns which have been under the control of Al Shabaab terrorist group.

“We captured six strategic towns from Al Shabaab militants in a newly military offensive against rebel-held towns in south and central Somalia” a military commander said.

Forecast

AMISOM mandate in Somalia is to provide military operations against the Al Shabaab whose intention is to topple Somalia’s Western-backed government and impose its own strict version of Islamic law.

Efforts from Somali security forces needed to guard areas and towns that AMISOM have captured to make sure the militants do not find their way back.

AMISOM comprise of troops from Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sierra Leone, Burundi and Uganda are committed to speed up counter terrorism efforts  in the East Africa region and more so in Somalia which is the home base of the Al Qaeda affiliate Al Shabaab.