... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...fighters during an overnight operation in the Buula Fulaay
| …alternate spelling Bula Fulaay… |
The forces also destroyed a hideout used by the Islamist hard boy group, the authorities said, without providing further details on the operation or the weapons seized.
The raid was part of ongoing military operations aimed at weakening al-Shabaab, disrupting its activities and improving security in areas where the group remains active, the ministry said.
The Defence Ministry and Somali National Army praised the troops involved, saying operations against al-Shabaab would continue until lasting peace and security were achieved across the country.
Al-Shabaab, which has been fighting Somalia’s federal government for more than a decade, remains capable of carrying out deadly attacks despite sustained military operations by Somali forces and international partners.
The group maintains a presence in parts of southern and central Somalia, including Bay region, where government forces have conducted repeated operations against its positions.
The military’s account of the casualties could not be independently verified. There was no immediate statement from al-Shabaab on the reported deaths.
| Garowe Online adds: |
The military said its forces also recovered a large quantity of weapons from the positions targeted during the operation.
Bay is among the regions where Al-Shabaab has maintained a significant presence, despite sustained military operations by Somali forces and their international partners.
The group has continued to carry out attacks and maintain clandestine positions in rural areas, using them to organise operations against government forces and civilian targets.