EVENT SUMMARY
MOGADISHU, Friday 5th February 2016, the Somalia National Army (SNA) on Thursday battled the Al-Shabaab militants killing eight and recovering lethal weapons during an operation in central Somalia.
An official from Somali army confirmed the death of the militants saying a fierce exchange of gunfire with security forces and the militants was witnessed in town of Mahaday located in the middle Shabelle region.
The army official identified as Mohamud Koronto, told local and international journalists that the operation to flush out Al-Shabaab militants from Mahaday town was successful.
“We carried out a successful operation to flush out Al-Shabaab militants from their hideouts. Despite initial resistance, we managed to kill eight of them and recover dangerous weapons,” Koronto was quoted saying.
Corresponding reports from residents of Mahaday town who spoke to media on condition of anonymity confirmed of the operation saying they heard loud explosions as security officers engaged in a gun battle with Al-Shabaab militants.
The strategic Mahaday town is located some 120 kilometers north of the Somali’s capital Mogadishu.
SNA government forces backed by AMISOM troops seized the town from Al-Shabaab reign two years ago though there are few elements of the Harakat al Shabaab al Mujahideen (HSM) movement in hideouts in the region.
