The Somali government has confirmed the death of 18 militants, including high-ranking leaders, in a military operation in the heart of the country. The announcement was made on Sunday by Abdulrahman Yusuf Al-Adala, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism in the Somali government.
The Somali News Agency (SONA) reported on Sunday morning that the 18 deceased militants were members of the terrorist group, Al-Shabaab. The operation was conducted by the special national forces, “Danab”, in the Bud Bud region of Galguduud province.
The Somali official also mentioned that the special national forces successfully destroyed several terrorist bases. In addition, a military officer revealed that the armed forces raided a bomb depot belonging to Al-Shabaab.
The Somali National Army continues its march towards the remaining few areas where Al-Shabaab, which is affiliated with the terrorist group Al-Qaeda (outlawed in Russia and many other countries), still has a presence. The army has decided to begin the second phase of the military operation to free the country from remnants of terrorism shortly.
Last Friday, Al-Shabaab launched an attack on a police station in northeastern Kenya, shortly after the group took control of a military base in the city of Jirel in southern Somalia, which is located on the border with Kenya.
The terrorists attacked the Wargadud police center, but security forces regained control after clashes, and the attackers retreated following an attack by the Kenyan army, according to the Al-Ain network. The recent attack is part of a series of attacks carried out by Al-Shabaab in the region, which has taken advantage of the security vacuum following the withdrawal of international coalition forces, AMISOM, from Somalia.
Wargadud, deep within Kenyan territory and on the route linking the Somali city of Eyl Wak and Mandera region in Kenya, witnessed an attack by Al-Shabaab terrorists last Friday.
