In a joint military operation led by the Somali National Army and supported by the African Union and international partners, more than 30 al-Shabab militants have been killed in the greatly disputed Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia.
This operation has greatly weakened the insurgent group’s power. The operation started early Thursday close to the Bulunagaad Forward Operating Base, where deeply entrenched fighters were overwhelmed with a combination of ground attacks and air support.
As per an announcement made by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Somali troops, Ugandan forces from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), and allied contingents attacked several al-Shabaab media outlets in what officials termed “swift and decisive actions” after security forces had recently come under frequent militant attacks in the vicinity.
“By means of synchronized ground movements and air assets, over 30 al-Shabaab militants have been killed, with a few others being hurt,” the joint command indicated, reiterating that no deaths were registered among the allied troops.
The mission is part of an ongoing large-scale military operation to eliminate al-Shabaab from Lower Shabelle, a strategically important region, by Somali and AU forces.
Security personnel mentioned that along this route, where the militants had previously attacked military convoys, government places, and even civilians, the dislodged militants from the coastal towns of Gendershe and some parts of the Jilib-Marka axis were actually forced to fight frontally during Thursday’s operation.
The joint assault is a clear sign of the heightened efforts under “Operation Hidden Sword,” a multi-faceted campaign that aims to cripple al-Shabaab’s abilities to attract, hide, and attack. The commanders made it clear that the offensive was not aimed only at killing but also at taking control of the critical supply routes, bringing stability to the areas that have suffered the most from violence and forced taxes by the insurgents.
Government sources were firm that operations would go on without interruption, with more missions being planned to take advantage of the recent victories and to cut off the insurgents’ supply routes. According to analysts, the success of Thursday’s battle not only further isolates al-Shabaab in Lower Shabelle but also might indicate the shifting of momentum in Somalia’s long fight against insurgency.
The Somali Ministry of Defence reiterated its resolve to exterminate the insurgent threats and pointed out that the support of the AU and international partners in joint actions is essential in the process of bringing about durable peace and security in the whole Horn of Africa.
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