MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Somali government has pledged to complement the fight against the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group Al-Shabaab as the army is making territorial gains.
The announcement comes days after the SNA along with tribal fighters seized control of several villages in the southern Mudug region, including Ba’adweyne, Amara and Qodo-qod.
The pledge was made by the deputy minister of information Abdirahman Al-Adala, who said the government forces are in the final push against Al-Shabaab in Galgadud and Mudug.
On the other hand, the minister accused unnamed individuals of trying to discourage the army by spreading fake news on social media platforms, promising to bring them to book.
The government’s campaign against Al-Shabaab centered in the Galgaduud region, where Somali forces are battling Al-Shabaab despite some setbacks, including retreat and attacks.
The government has yet to confirm the number of casualties from the Cawsweyne base attack last month, but it is believed dozens were killed, with more than 160 injured and an unspecified number missing.
Somali officials said the militants attacked Cowsweyne [Osweine], 60 kilometers northwest of El Dheer town using explosions from vehicle-borne explosive devices, or car bombs, followed by an attack by armed militants who engaged in heavy gun battles with government forces.
The morning base attack led to the retreat of SNA soldiers from other towns on the front lines, including Elbur as well and forced government officials to launch frantic efforts to prevent troops from abandoning all the areas taken from the militants since August 2022.
