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Africa Horn

Southwest State Forces Kill 2 Shaboobniks, Capture 12

2024-05-10

[ShabelleMedia] In a series of successful operations against the al-Shabaab

... al-Qaeda's tentacle in East Africa...
terrorist group, the Southwest state forces of Somalia have achieved notable victories, capturing 12 al-Shabaab members and eliminating key figures within the organization.

These operations mark a significant step forward in the ongoing counterinsurgency efforts in Somalia. According to Somali state media, a government operation conducted in Somalia’s Bay region on May 5, 2024, resulted in the elimination of two al-Shabaab fighters, identified as Abdullahi Aliyow and Najib Abdisalan.

These individuals were responsible for tax collection for the group, a critical source of funding for their activities. This operation demonstrates the government’s commitment to dismantling the financial infrastructure of al-Shabaab, a crucial aspect of weakening the group’s operational capabilities.

In a separate operation carried out in villages located outside the Baydhabo town, the Southwest state’s spy agency unveiled several al-Shabaab operatives. These individuals were part of a larger network involved in terrorist activities, including planned liquidations, direct assaults, nighttime bombings, and extortion.

Twelve individuals were detained in this operation, highlighting the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in combating terrorism.

These successes come amid ongoing efforts by the Somali government and its international partners to combat al-Shabaab. The Somali National Army, 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) troops, and local militia have been working together to push back against the krazed killer group. These efforts have resulted in the recapture of key strategic towns and the elimination of a significant number of al-Shabaab fighters.

The second phase of operations against al-Shabaab, which kicked off in southwest and Jubaland states, has seen the participation of soldiers from neighboring Kenya, Djibouti, and Æthiopia, in addition to Somali forces.

Garowe adds:

Somalia's spy agency; the National Intelligence Security Agency (NISA) has paraded 12 suspected Al-Shabaab militants as the fight against the group garnered momentum across the Horn of Africa nation, which is battling with instability.

The suspected militants were rounded by security forces in Baidoa, the regional administrative capital of Southwest state, following intensive search mounted by local troops. Southwest is a major terror hotbed in Somalia.

According to NISA, the 12 individuals were arrested following a coordinated crackdown by national security forces in Baidoa city and its surroundings were extorting money from members of the public in the region.

The suspects, NISA added, will be charged in the military court in line with traditions set by security operatives in Somalia. Besides extortion, they are accused of killing members of the public along with endangering the lives of security teams.

Security and intelligence officers from the southern state of Somalia are continuing with operations in the region to ensure security is maintained. The second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab is set to be launched in Southwest and Jubaland states.

For the last two years, security teams have intensified operations against Al-Shabaab in central regions, killing at least 3,000 Al-Shabaab militants. In the process, hundreds of Al-Shabaab militants have also surrendered to security teams.

The second phase of operations was delayed due to logistical challenges but the government announced possible resumption in the coming months. The Somali National Army is expected to assume security responsibilities from foreign troops by the end of this year.

Already, about 5,000 African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) soldiers have left the country. By June this year, 5,000 more are set to leave as the African Union gears towards implementation of the Somali Transition Plan.

Posted by:trailing wife

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