28 Al-Shabaab Terrorists Killed in Shabelle Regions
SOMALIA – At least 28 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in two security operations in southern Lower and Middle Shabelle regions, according to the Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) on Tuesday.
The operations were carried out in conjunction with international security partners, it added.
One of the operations in the area of Kunyo Barrow, Lower Shabelle region, targeted al-Shabaab’s secret facilities, which the group was using for bomb-making and weapons maintenance.
“The operation destroyed technical equipment, stockpiles stored in those facilities, and two vehicles being prepared with explosives,” NISA said in a statement.
Seven terrorists were killed, including members of the group’s bomb engineers, while the second airstrikes in Middle Shabelle region killed 21 terrorists, according to the statement.
Al-Shabaab has been engaged in an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years, frequently targeting security forces, officials and civilians.
Since last July, the Somali army, with the support of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM, and other international partners, has stepped up operations against the group supporting the central government.
AUSSOM‘s mandate was renewed for another year by the UN Security Council in December, with a UK-backed resolution extending authorization until Dec. 31.
