Monday October 10, 2022
Mogadishu (HOL) - The Governor of Hiiraan region, Ali Jeyte Osman, senior military officers and federal MPs arrived in Ji'ibow in Hiiraan's Bulaburde district on Monday, a day after SNA forces reportedly killed over 200 Al Shabaab militants during intense fighting.
Jeyte was accompanied by MPs Mohamed Abdiqadir and Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, who both represent Hiiraan in the federal parliament, among others.
Governor Jeyte, speaking to the media in Ji'ibow, said that government security forces defeated Al-Shabaab, inflicting hundreds of casualties throughout the battle, which reportedly lasted for about 12 hours.
"Following our victory yesterday, Al Shabaab is collapsing and on its last legs. We cannot slow down or rest; we must take advantage of the situation and intensify our operations against them."
According to the Somali military and regional security officials, Al Shabaab fighters were re-grouping in the Ji'ibow area, 25KM away from Bulaburde town, to plot a terror attack that would disrupt the supply lines to Beledweyne.
Mohamed Abdirahman Kheyre, Hirshabelle's security minister, stated that defensive positions established by Al Shabaab fighters were destroyed by the SNA, forcing the insurgents to relocate near the river bank, where government security forces surrounded them.
The governor thanked the SNA, local militias, and the Djiboutian military for their roles during Sunday's battle.Jeyte also thanked locals, who provided food, water and medical aid to soldiers battling Al Shabaab.
The SNA is said to have seized weapons and ammunition from the defeated militants.