In a significant military operation in Somalia, more than 70 fighters from the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab were reported killed. This operation involved the combined efforts of the National Army and local forces, according to a statement from the Somali information ministry released on Tuesday.
Al-Shabaab, which has links to Al-Qaeda, has been engaged in a protracted conflict against the Somali federal government for over 15 years, aiming to impose its interpretation of Islamic law in the nation grappling with poverty and instability. The statement indicated that the offensive resulted in not only the deaths of numerous militants but also the seizure of a large cache of weapons and the destruction of several combat vehicles used by the group.
The military action took place across multiple locations in the Hirshabelle state, situated in south-central Somalia. While the exact death toll reported by the ministry remains unverified by independent sources, several local witnesses corroborated the claims of heavy fighting. One resident described the overwhelming defeat of Al-Shabaab fighters, stating that “dozens” of their bodies could be seen in the aftermath of the battle.
The recent operation was reportedly a counter-response to a series of attacks carried out by Al-Shabaab in the region within the preceding days. Despite being pushed out of the capital city, Mogadishu, by African Union forces in 2011, Al-Shabaab continues to exert influence in rural areas, frequently launching bombings and other violent attacks across the country.
The Somali president has vowed to undertake a comprehensive approach to dismantle Al-Shabaab, signaling a commitment to a “total” war against the group. The ongoing military campaign is supported by local militia forces, along with backing from African Union troops and U.S. airstrikes, as the government seeks to regain control and stabilize the region.
