The Somali National Army (SNA), supported by local militia forces and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops from Burundi and Uganda, conducted a joint military offensive in Cali Fooldheere forest, located in the Middle Shabelle region over the last two days.
According to the AMTIS mission statement on Tuesday, this operation followed several days of an all-out ground and artillery offensive, which concluded on Sunday, October 1st, aimed at flushing out Al-Shabaab militants from their hideout in Cali Fooldheere Forest.
The ATMIS Force Commander, Lieutenant General Sam Okiding, said, “The Cali Fooldhere Forest has particularly over the years become a strategic location where the terrorists plan deadly attacks and conceal ammunition including vehicles for Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).”
The African Union Special Representative for Somalia and Head of ATMIS, Amb. Mohamed El-Amine Souef congratulated the joint forces for a successful offensive. “I commend the brave efforts of our gallant ATMIS troops and the Somali National Army to degrade Al-Shabaab. ATMIS is fully committed to implementing the Somali Transition Plan which will culminate in the transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali security forces,” he said.
The statement adds that ATMIS and SNA Forces are currently holding the seized grounds and clearing small pockets of Al-Shabaab in areas located north of the Mahaday district in the Middle Shabelle region of Hirshabelle State.
In recent months, the Somali government has intensified its military campaign against al-Shabab but has recently faced setbacks in the fight in central Somalia.
