Monday September 11, 2023
Dhusamareb (HOL) - The President of Galmudug Regional State, Ahmed Abdi Kariye, accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Abdulkadir Mohamed Noor, and the Chief of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Mahad Mohamed Salad, arrived in El-Garas, a small strategic town in the Galgadud region on Monday.
Government forces, supported by local militia, successfully recaptured El-Garas, which is situated 40 km from the historic district of El-bur, without encountering any resistance.
Federal and regional authorities have commended the joint efforts in liberating several areas east of Galgadud. President Ahmed Abdi Kariye emphasized that military operations would continue until the group is eliminated.
However, on Monday, two Galmudug lawmakers and one civilian were killed in a roadside explosion in El-Garas town. MP Mohamed Mohamud Ahmed (Mohamed Yare), a member of the Galmudug Parliament, and Abdullahi Ibrahim Shaaciye, a member of the Dhusamareb Local Council, had arrived in the town to visit the troops who had retaken the town from al-Shabab.
El-Garas is a small town situated on the road between Dhusamareb and El-bur that has remained under al-Shabab's control for several decades. The recapture of El-Garas by government and local forces marks a significant step toward regaining control of the El-bur district.