Sunday October 16, 2022
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali forces recaptured several villages in the Middle Shabelle region on Sunday following a security operation.
Lawmaker Osman Hadole, a former army commander, Karaan district commissioner Abshir Karaan and officers from the 27th division of the Somali military led the forces that took over Yaaqle, Mukadheere, Dhagahoow, Kooraabe, Shanloow and Farbaraki. The villages are located in the Bal'ad district.
Military officials did not specify the number of casualties that were killed during the operation.
The government promised to establish an operating base in the area to advance the security of the Jowhar and Balad districts.
Last week, a sizable contingent of government soldiers left Mogadishu for the Middle Shabelle and Mudug regions to join the military offensive in the area.
The government forces on Saturday recaptured a strategic district linking the country's southern and central regions after the al Shabab withdrew its militants.
Al Shabab militants lost strategic ground to government and local militia forces in the last two months.
The joint forces liberated over 40 villages and killed over 500 al-Shabab militants in the past three weeks in operations in central Somalia.