UPDATE: Over 50 Al-shabaab militants, including a top leader killed in an operation by security forces in Lower Jubba. Several other militants captured. pic.twitter.com/WBiWev02BP
— Goobjoog News (@GoobjoogNews) July 12, 2023
| Garowe adds: |
...... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...
The operation, officials said, targeted Weelmarow village which is about 45 kilometers northeast of Afmadow town which falls under Sector II of 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]. Sector II is manned by Kenya Defence Forces [KDF] which has been operating in Lower Jubba.
During the raid, state media reported, 50 al-Shabaab
"Over 50 al-Shabaab bad boys, including leaders, were eliminated in the Lower Jubba region during a joint operation by security forces and local forces. Among those killed was the head of finance in the WeelMaarow area, targeted in a planned operation by Danab commandos and residents in Weel-Maarow village, approximately 45km northeast of Afmadow town," state media reported.
"The army also captured several militiamen, weapons, and vehicles. The State Media confirmed the operation and received graphic photos," the statement read, in what is a morale uplift ahead of the second phase of operations against al-Shabaab scheduled for the coming days according to Mogadishu.
The operation comes a few days after the international community led by the US Africa Command conducted three
...KABOOM!...
s in the area, killing at least 10 al-Shabaab bad boys. Also, the Somali National Army had previously announced of elimination of 40 al-Shabaab
Al-Shabaab
Besides military operations, Somalia is also targeting al-Shabaab financiers and sympathizers across the country on top of blocking taxation channels by the group. Earlier this year, the government successfully closedown at least 250 bank accounts associated with al-Shabaab financiers and 70 mobile money transfer services.
| Another Garowe article adds: |
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence announced that its operations near Jilib town inflicted losses on Al-Shabaab militants, who have been on the run for the past few days. The militants have also crossed over from Somalia to Kenya given sustained operations within Somalia.
According to the ministry, Al-Shabaab lost masterminds of recent attacks in Jubaland including Farhan and his deputy, Abdi Mahad. The two are linked to waves of attacks targeting Jubaland security forces, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and the US Africa Command.
"In a victorious joint operation, our Danab commandos and Jubbaland Deravishes struck hard at Al-Shabaab bases in Weel-Maarow and nearby areas. These locations, only 42 km away from the Jilib district - Alshabaab's stronghold, have been successfully reclaimed," read the message.
"In the operation, we dealt a significant blow to Alshabaab, eliminating members including key leaders and the brains behind Jubaland Bombings, Farhan and his deputy, Abdi Mahad. Our resolve is steadfast, our mission clear - eradicating terror and ensuring a peaceful Somalia."