Tuesday August 3, 2021
GALKAYO (HOL) - Forces loyal to former Banaadir regional police boss Sadaq John have reportedly captured a senior al-Shabaab commander after fierce fighting in central Somalia.
Somali government had last month confirmed that John who was fired by the Federal Government in April, has resurfaced the battlefield alongside Federal and State forces in Galmudug state.
According to the state-owned media, the forces led by John on Monday recaptured Amara town after engaging fierce fighting with al-Shabaab militants who had been controlling town for months.
During the operation, the forces succeeded to nabbed Jiril Saed Ali, who was reportedly responsible for foreign abductions carried out by the militant group.
Ali was said to have played an important role in the kidnapping of two German and French women which took place in 2018 and 2011 respectively.
Meanwhile, Galmudug forces backed by Somali military on Monday took control of Amara town which was under al-Shabaab fighters in the recent months.
According to Galmudug Security ministry, the joint forces seized huge cache of weapons and communication equipment during the operation.
"We have completely taken control of some key areas in the east and south of Qaycad location in which the militants were trying to secure in recent days. We recovered about 20 guns, communication equipment and other materials this morning," the ministry said in a statement.