The Somali government announced that over 70 fighters from the Islamist militant group Al-Shabab were killed during a joint military operation carried out by the national army and local forces in Hirshabelle state, located in south-central Somalia.
The Information Ministry confirmed the casualties in a statement, highlighting the significant impact of the operation on Al-Shabab. In addition to the fatalities, the operation resulted in the destruction of several combat vehicles and the seizure of a large weapons cache.
The attack, which took place on Tuesday, was reportedly in retaliation for recent Al-Shabab assaults in the region. Witnesses confirmed the fighting, with several stating that “dozens” of bodies were seen at the combat sites.
Despite being pushed out of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, in 2011 by African Union forces, Al-Shabab continues to operate in rural areas, regularly launching attacks across the country. Somalia’s government has vowed to intensify its efforts to eradicate the group, with the army collaborating with local militias, backed by AU forces and U.S. airstrikes, in a broader military campaign.
Source : https://www.arabnews.com/node/2591629/world