Jan. 19 (EUROPA PRESS) –
At least five Somali soldiers have died this Thursday in an operation launched against Al Shabaab in the Southwest region, clashes that have also resulted in the death of 20 alleged members of the terrorist group.
The minister of Justice of the state of Southwest, Hasan Abdulkadir, has indicated that the fighting has broken out during a “preventive” operation in Guf-Gadud, 30 kilometers north of the state capital, Baidoa.
Likewise, it has specified that among the dead there are several commanders of the terrorist group, although it has not given more details on this point, as reported by the Somali state news agency, SONNA.
The operation has been launched a day after Somalia announced the death of 50 suspected members of Al Shabaab in an operation in the town of Dhagahou, in the Middle Shabelle region. During the same, a soldier also died, according to the spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, Abdulahi Ali Anod.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Wednesday that security forces will soon expand operations against the group with the start of a second phase in the Southwest region.
Somalia has increased offensives against Al Shabaab in recent months with the support of clans and local militias as part of a series of decisions taken by the president, who promised upon taking office to put the fight against terrorism at the center of his efforts to stabilize the country. african country.
