Sunday September 17, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - The Somali National Army (SNA), supported by Galmudug regional forces and local clan militias, has recaptured several strategic areas in central Somalia following a massive operation over the past two days.
The Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism of the Federal Government of Somalia, Daud Aweis Jama, announced at a press conference in Mogadishu on Sunday that the joint forces liberated Ba'adweyne, Amara, Qodqod, Sardo, Shabelow, Huldonyale, Galhare, Qey'ad, and Hinlabi in the Mudug region.
During the operations, the Somali National Army (SNA) destroyed four al-Shabaab vehicles, confiscated weapons, and eliminated over 30 al-Shabaab militants, as reported by the minister.
"The army also targeted over 200 Al-Shabab members in the areas of Awbale and Eid in the Mahaday district in the lower Shabelle region, who were planning covert attacks to harm the public," he added.
The government has hailed the capture of these areas as a significant success that will deter al-Shabaab from attacking other areas in the southern Mudug region.
The operation comes a day after al-Shabaab terrorists carried out a suicide bombing on the Galmudug state president. However, two soldiers were killed, and two members of Somalia's Federal Parliament were injured.
Last Monday, Mohamed Mohamud, a member of the Galmudug state parliament, was killed in a bomb attack in the region.