Somali National Army (SNA) troops on April 19 in a coordinated operation recaptured several villages in the Lower Shabelle region following intensive clashes with Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab militants.
According to a statement by the Somali Defense Ministry, Somalia’s Elite Forces known as Gorgor recaptured villages including Jowhar-Awdheegle, Ay-Butey, Gumeysidid, Kali-Nidyan and Buulo-Nagey. The government troops also destroyed checkpoints manned by the Al-Shabaab militant group.
Several Al-Shabaab fighters were also killed during the operations. No details SNA casualties have been provided.
The SNA has recently launched the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab in the volatile south-central Somalia where Al-Shabaab maintains significant control.
The Somali government troops have been fighting to liberate all Al-Shabaab-controlled villages and towns in central Somalia since last July. The government forces succeeded in many towns including Harardhere, a strategic seaport town. Hundreds of Al-Shabaab fighters were also killed during the first phase of the operations
It is important for the Somali government to continue its efforts to liberate all the areas under the control of Al-Shabaab, and to restore peace and stability in the country. Also, ATMIS continue to provide support to the offensive operations by SNA including close air support, casualty evacuation and medical evacuation, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance & indirect fire support, among others.
