EL GARAS, Somalia – The SNA forces with the support of the local clan fighters have peacefully taken full control of the Elgaras area in the Galgaduud region on Monday.
The allied forces were reportedly moved into El-Garas which lies between Dhusamareb, Galmudug state capital, and Elbur town after the Al-Shabaab militants abandoned the area.
After the takeover, the officials said troops began conducting security operations in and around the area to wipe out Al-Shabaab remnants and avert possible IED blasts on the roads.
On the other hand, the government and local forces liberated the villages of Adcadey and Adan Lahey, which are under the Ruunirgood town in the Middle Shabelle region.
The capture of the areas coincides with the federal government’s final drive to expel Al-Shabaab from their areas in Galgaduud, Hiraan, and Middle Shabelle regions, south and central Somalia.
In August 2022, Mohamud launched a “total war” against al-Shabaab. In the first phase, Somali forces concentrated on the central regions of Hirshabelle and Galmudug, supporting local clans that were rebelling against al-Shabaab.
The first stage was the most effective offensive since 2016, expelling al-Shabaab from areas it had controlled for over a decade, and in March 2023 the government launched phase two to attack al-Shabaab in the south.
However, concerns remain about Somalia’s ability to hold the areas it has cleared and take more territory given the planned drawdown of foreign troops and the fact that southern clans have not shown the same propensity to turn on al-Shabaab.
