Airstrike kills 43 Al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia: SONNA
The Somali government on Monday confirmed the killing of 43 Al-Shabaab militants, including two top commanders, during the Friday airstrike near Somalia’s southern district of Jamame.
The airstrike was carried out in a joint operation by the Somali National Army (SNA) and an international partner as the terror group commanders were plotting attacks against government soldiers stationed at the Barsanguni military base, according to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA).
“The airstrike successfully eliminated key Al-Shabab leaders Aden Abdirahman Aden and Idris Abdirahim Nur, who was of Kenyan national origin, and a total of 43 al-Shabab fighters,” SONNA said in the report.
The report did not state the international partner involved although the US Africa Command is known for carrying out airstrikes against the Al-Qaeda linked group.
“The successful disruption of this planned attack demonstrates the effectiveness of the ongoing efforts to combat Al-Shabaab and protect the people of Somalia,” the report added.
Somalia is gearing for the second phase of the offensive against Al-Shabaab militants.
In the first phase of the offensive that started last August, the SNA with the help clan-based vigilantes, Macawiisley, managed to liberate vast territories from the extremist group in central and southern regions.
On Monday, the cabinet approved the appointment of General Ibrahim Sheekh Muhyadin Adow as the new Commander of the Somali National Army (SNA) after the sacking of his predecessor General Odawaa Yusuf Raage, the youngest military commander to hold the position following his appointment in 2019.
