MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somali forces have carried out operations in parts of the Middle Shabelle region, hunting down Al-Shabaab militants hiding in the forest areas.
The operation took place specifically in areas in Runirgood town where Al-Shabaab had been removed during the onset of the military offensive that started in August last year.
The officers who led the operation said that they had targeted the group’s hideouts which they used as a launch site. This led to the elimination of a threat to the military bases.
In addition, They also said that the forces had destroyed mines planted by the group on some of the roads, and some of the mines had been detonated.
The SNA officials indicated that they will continue this type of operation targeting the areas where the Al-Shabaab is based. The SNA along with local clans are battling the group.
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 group had seen public support deteriorate in those areas after it raised taxes on residents to make up for losses incurred from an economic downturn and natural disasters, disregarding the effects of the policy on people’s livelihoods.
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.
