Forces of the Somali National Army are working to secure the Xawaadley area in the Middle Shabelle region as part of a new military operation, named Operation Badar, targeting insurgent strongholds, the Somali Defense Ministry said on Thursday in a statement.
The new operation was launched after the Somali National Army took control of an area in Southern Somalia which was used as a hideout for Al-Shabaab’s terrorist group,
According to the ministry, operations are continuing to liberate more areas and pursue remaining fighters and carry out clearing missions in areas recently recaptured from the Al-Qaeda-linked group.
The ministry added that several bases and storage facilities belonging to the militants were destroyed during the operation.
Early this week, troops of the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) liberated Daarusalaam and Mubarak, strategic locations in Lower Shabelle region of Somalia from Al Shabaab militants.
These locations had previously served as key strategic strongholds and safe havens for Al-Shabaab militants.
Since July of last year, Somali forces, backed by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and other international partners, have stepped up operations against the group.
The UN Security Council renewed the AU mission’s mandate for one year in December, allowing operations to continue until Dec. 31, 2026.
MG/abj/APA