...... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...bully boys, state media reported, in the latest operation targeting the bully boys, who have been engaging in retaliatory attacks across the country.
According to state media, the operation by the multi-agency security forces targeted the gunnies across Farabaako area, just south of Xawaadley in central Somalia. The operation was activated a day after Tuesday's attack against civilians in the village, a move which was seen as a provocation.
State media noted that besides the death of over 40 al-Shabaab bully boys, the al-Qaeda-linked group also has their anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon [ZU] destroyed during the sophisticated operation against the bully boys.
"Over 40 Alshabab bad boyz were potted and anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon [ZU] destroyed in a joint operation carried by Somali National Army and NISA in the farmlands near Hawadley village in Middle Shabelle with support of Somalia’s international security partners," state media noted.
Reports indicate that Somalia's international partners were involved in the crackdown. For the last seven months, the US Africa Command, the African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] and the local militia have been directly engaging in operations against al-Shabaab across the country.
So far, casualty figures have not been independently confirmed, but al-Shabaab usually disputes the numbers given by the government after such operations. Photos by state media show troops operating in the area, targeting some of the areas which have not been combed for the sake of civilians.
The country has increased the intensity against the al-Shabaab extortionists across the country, targeting even their revenue sources. Recently, over 250 bank accounts and 70 mobile money transfer firms were closed over close association with the al-Shabaab group.