9 al-Shabaab terrorists killed in Somalia military operation

By Mohamed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - The Somali Information Ministry said Wednesday that nine al-Shabaab terrorists were killed and 10 were wounded in a military operation in the Galgaduud and Middle Shabelle regions.

The operation was coordinated by the national army and international partners in the vicinities of Ali Heelle and Baraag Sheikh Amir in the central provinces.

“These operations, which were well planned, also destroyed vehicles and military equipment belonging to the Khawarij,” according to a statement by the ministry.

Khawarij is a term the government uses to describe the al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group, al-Shabaab.

It said Mogadishu is closely following the movement of the enemy and is determined to target it in every area.

The military, backed by local militias and international partners, has been conducting operations and offensives against the group since 2022.

Somalia has been plagued by insecurity for years, with the main threats emanating from al-Shabaab and the Daesh/ISIS terror groups.

Since 2007, al-Shabaab has been fighting the Somali government and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) -- a multidimensional mission authorized by the African Union and mandated by the UN Security Council.

The terror group has stepped up attacks since Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared an "all-out war" on the group.