BAIDOA, Somalia (SMN) – At least 15 Al-Shabaab militants were killed during a military operation outside Baidoa city, Southwest state, the State media reports.
The operation targeted an AlShabaab checkpoint near the city, where the national army engaged in a fierce gunfight with the militants for about an hour.
The raid was aimed to remove AlShabaab blockade on Baidoa which sparked skyrocketed prices of goods, mainly fuel and food stuff for the past week.
The operation in Jameeco village came hours after the government reported a joint military offensive involving American troops in two areas between Galgaduud and Middle Shabelle regions.
As many as 100 were reported to have been killed in the assault. On Thursday, U.S. military in Africa said 5 AlShabaab members died in an airstrike near Gal’ad Town, which falls under Galmudug state.
Somalia plans second phase of military operations to regain control of remained areas from Al-Shabaab with Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia are set to send Non-ATMIS forces to take part the final AlShabaab push.
