MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Somali forces, especially the 9th brigade of the 60th division with the help of the Southwest Darwish army, have in the past few hours carried out planned operations in several areas in the Bakool region.
The local residents said there has been fighting between SNA forces and the Al-Shabaab in War-wiin, War-dhato, Eelahaley, and Morigabey, all of which are in the Bakool region.
The allied forces managed to take over full control of all areas from Al-Shabaab after overpowering the militants during the clashes that caused casualties on both sides.
The commander of the 9th division of the Somali army, Major Yonis Adan Hassan, who led the troops, told the state media that such operations are aimed at removing the Al-Shabaab group from other areas in Bakool.
The operation that took place in the areas of Bakool coincides with the final preparation of the second phase of the operation in Jubaland and the Southwest states of Somalia in the coming months.
During this first phase, the federal government relied on the support of several clan militias. Alliances with clans were critical to the government’s initial success in dislodging the militants from their strongholds in central Somalia.
The government was urged to learn from its past operations and increase the capacity and role of its security forces in the campaign against al-Shabaab, particularly now as ATMIS is preparing a complete withdrawal of forces from the country.
