Government forces and allied local militia engaged in a heavy fight with al-Shabab militants on the outskirts of Beledweyne yesterday resulting in the deaths of at least 20 militants.
The clash occurred in the Mohamed Hassan area, approximately 22 kilometres south of Beledweyne, after the militants infiltrated the region overnight and launched an assault on government and local military installations.
According to Farah Mohamed Hassan, former Minister of State for the Ministry of Transport of Hirshabelle State, the security forces and local militia destroyed the group’s base and pursued the remaining militants as the operation continued.
“There were no losses on our side. We have killed almost 20 people,” the minister added.
The al-Shabaab fighters had reportedly dug massive trenches in Tabantab on Thursday night, which served as the battle location on Friday morning. The group did not provide any information regarding the casualties on their side.
Since last August, Somalia’s army has collaborated with local militias to conduct joint offensives against the Al Shabaab. During a town hall meeting on Monday night, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared that al-Shabab would be eliminated by the end of the year. Mohamud added that the second phase of the operation would soon begin in Somalia’s South West State and the Jubaland region.
