In a coordinated and intelligence security led-operation, one of the mastermind of deadly Marka bombings was arrested and some explosives recovered.
The Al-Shabaab operative identified as Aweys Mayow Eelay is believed to be behind series of deadly bombings in Marka, Lower Shabelle region of Somalia. He was nabbed and a cache of weapons including grenade explosives meant to target security forces and civilians in the area were also recovered.
Joint operations in Marka will continue in an effort to flush out members of the Al-Qaeda associated militant group who have continued to cause instability in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia.
In a separate operation, the Turkish-trained Gorgor special forces secured villages in Beledweyne district, Hiraan region, central Somalia, and destroyed Al-Shabaab courts and bases in villages located between Beledweyne and Mataban. Al Shabaab left the villages before the security forces entered.
Also, Somali National Army (SNA) and Burundian African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) recaptured their base in El Baraf, Jowhar district, Middle Shabelle, southern Somalia, on May 17. The joint troops mortared the base before using helicopters to airlift troops into the base. The operation came after Al-Shabaab militants overran the base on May 3rd and killed dozens of Burundian soldiers.
