Fifty-nine members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group were killed during two military operations conducted in the Galgadud and Middle Shabelle regions of central Somalia, as reported by the Somali news agency SONA on Tuesday.
According to SONA, “59 Al-Shabaab members were killed in two military operations executed by the national army, popular resistance forces, and international partners in the Galgadud and Middle Shabelle regions.”
The report indicated that the first operation, which took place in the Jirli area of Galgadud, “resulted in the deaths of 32 Al-Shabaab members, including several leaders.”
Furthermore, it stated, “27 Al-Shabaab members were killed in an airstrike targeting their gathering in the village of Yaqli, located in the Middle Shabelle region. This military operation also led to the destruction of their base in the area.”
The agency emphasized that the escalation of military operations has resulted in “the liberation of numerous towns and regions from the control of terrorists.”
This operation follows closely on the heels of a previous engagement in which 42 Al-Shabaab militants were eliminated by the Somali army in the Ail Tair region, also in central Somalia.
Historically, Al-Shabaab terrorists have conducted numerous bombings and attacks in Mogadishu and various other regions within this Horn of Africa nation. Despite being driven out of the capital by African Union forces in 2011, Al-Shabaab remains active in rural areas.
