Southwest Darwish forces killed a senior Al-Shabaab operative and seized a motorcycle during a military operation on the outskirts of Qansahdheere town in the Bay region on Tuesday.
According to army officials, the killed militant was responsible for collecting extortion money on behalf of the group in the area. Although the identity of the killed operative was not disclosed, military sources confirmed armed fighters accompanied him during the operation.
A motorcycle carrying rations allegedly looted from civilians was also confiscated.
The operation comes amid increased activity by Al-Shabaab in the Bay and Bakool regions following major battlefield losses in Middle Shabelle. Somali military officials said last week that retreating militants had begun regrouping in parts of Southwest State, raising concerns of a renewed insurgency in the region.
The Somali National Army (SNA), backed by local Ma’awisley militia fighters, killed 70 Al-Shabaab militants in two separate operations in Lower Shabelle on Monday, part of an intensified nationwide campaign to dismantle the group’s presence.
