Thursday August 17, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali forces, in conjunction with local clan militia backed by international partners, have killed at least 30 al-Shabab militants in military operations spanning the last two days in the Galhareri district of the Galgadud region.
The spokesperson for the country's Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General Abdullahi Ali Anod, stated the joint forces also burned an explosives-rigged vehicle during the operations to liberate Galhareri district.
"Heavy fighting occurred in the areas known as El-Ba'ad and the six gates in the southwest of Galhareri. Our reports confirm the elimination of about 30 Khawarij militants, with one of our soldiers having fallen as a martyr. The army successfully neutralized an explosives-rigged vehicle."
The Ministry of Defense spokesperson also noted that the ongoing military campaign encompasses four directions in the Eastern Galgadud region. He assured the army would liberate the remaining areas under-al Shabab in the region in the coming days.
"The Khawarij's strategy involves going behind our forces and planting landmines along the road. Recognizing this plan, we have determined that the army must proceed cautiously and remain vigilant against their schemes. Our forces are advancing on foot across a broad front," he elaborated.
He urged residents in several villages in Galhareri and Elbur, two districts under al Shabaab control in the Galgadud region, to leave "immediately" as Somali forces, backed by international partners, started new airstrikes and military operations targeting the group in Galmudug regional state.
"I want to tell you to stay away from the land between Hindere and Garab la'. These are the areas where the threat is most pronounced. We are also asking you to avoid El Qohle, Wabho, El Harardere, Dabagalo, and Jacar."
In recent months, the army and local clan militias have retaken chunks of territory in an operation backed by US air raids and an African Union (AU) force known as ATMIS, whose mandate ended in June.