BAIDOA, Somalia – The Somali National Army [SNA] along with Southwest Regional forces launched an assault on the Al-Shabaab base in a forest area near Qansah-dheere town within the Bay region on Monday, officials said.
The allied troops targeted the Al-Shabaab stronghold after receiving information about the presence of senior commanders who were planning an attack against government-controlled areas in the region. The attack led to a heavy gunfight that killed 6 militants, including two senior leaders.
Local officials said the slain Al-Shabaab commanders were also in charge of extortion and blockade of the Qansah-Dheere town, where Ethiopian troops are stationed serving under the African Union mission. Southwest state said the troops inflicted losses on Al-Shabaab in the latest operation.
Since losing main strongholds in the Bay and Bakool regions, Al-Shabaab has been blocking main towns from reaching humanitarian aid, and trade that led to hyperinflation.
Somalia is now preparing for a new AU mission – AUSSOM which will kick off in January next year after the expiry of the current ATMIS mission. The AUSSOM will help the government in the stabilization process and protect key infrastructure.
HORN LIFE
