Mogadishu – The Somali National Army has captured the strategic towns of Sabiid and Caanoole in the Lower Shabelle region, marking a significant advance in its ongoing offensive against the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab group, military officials said Friday.
The military launched a coordinated operation earlier this week, forcing Al-Shabaab militants to flee their hideouts and abandon key positions, according to army sources.
“This is a critical victory that reflects our sustained efforts to eliminate Al-Shabaab from Somali territory,” said Colonel Ahmed Gaashaan, commander of the 7th Battalion under the army’s 12th Division.
Government forces are now conducting clearing operations in the newly liberated areas to secure them from potential threats and to ensure the safety of civilians, military officials added.
The offensive is part of a broader campaign by Somali authorities, backed by local militias and international partners, to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s grip on southern and central Somalia.
