MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Somali forces backed by foreign partners carried out a joint operation against the Al-Shabaab in the Barag Ali Gadud area of the Mudug region.
The raid in the vicinity of the newly liberated coastal Harardhere city targeted the Al-Shabaab convoy traveling on a semi-forest road. Two vehicles reportedly burnt to ashes.
“The attack took place in an area approximately 31 km south of Harardhere town, It was an airstrike that targeted vehicles Al-Shabaab leaders and militants,” said a resident.
The details of the casualty figures remained unverified. The army sources say several senior Al-Shabaab commanders were killed and wounded in the covert military operation.
The government did not disclose the number of Al-Shabaab leaders and militants who were killed in the operation which comes amid preparation for the second phase of an offensive.
Barag Ali Gudud is one of the few areas that are still under the control of Al-Shabaab in the Mudug region, central Somalia which the government plans to liberate from the militants.
The US Africa command – AFRICOM did not release a statement regarding the strike. The American troops on the ground support of Somali National Army forces fighting Al-Shabab.
American airstrikes against Islamic extremists, Al-Shabaab in Somalia have sharply decreased in recent months as ground SNA and clan militia operations came to a standstill.
