Dozen Al-Shabaab fighters killed as gov’t calls for ATMIS drawdown to be slowed
At least 27 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in a military operation in the central state of Galmudug, according to the Somali government on Friday.
The operation was conducted in the villages of Balal-Dheer, El-Gambar, and Mililiqo, where Al-Shabaab bases, along with their vehicles and military equipment, were specifically targeted and subsequently destroyed.
“Over 27 Khawarij militants were eliminated in a successful operation by the Somali National Army in Mililiqo, El Gambar, and Balal Dheer villages in Galmudug State. Three enemy bases were targeted and destroyed, along with their vehicles and military equipment, ” said the statement from Somalia’s Ministry of Defense.
In a parallel development, Al-Shabaab figure Isaaq Abdullahi, who led the group operations in Bakool region, and his seven bodyguards were reportedly killed in an airstrike on Friday in Wajid District. The strike was carried out by the Somali National Army with the support of international security partners.
These developments coincide with the Somali government’s request for a 90-day “technical pause” in the African Union (AU) troop drawdown. This request is based on recent military setbacks in central Somalia and concerns about the impact of the drawdown on logistical support for the Somali army, the challenges of maintaining remote forward operating bases, and the potential risks to the country’s security that the drawdown may pose.
Al-Shabaab has recenly increased its attacks in response to the increased offensive operations by the government, international partners, and local militia forces. The request for the pause comes just as Burundian ATMIS forces ast Sunday transferred control of the strategically located Bio Adaley forward operating base (FOB) in Hirshabelle regional state to Somali forces.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared an “all-out war” on Al-Shabaab immediately after his second re-election and reiterated that his priority is to defeat Al-Shabaab before any other state reconstruction can take place.
It is not yet clear which direction the fight against Al-Shabaab will take or whether the Somali government will be able to achieve its goal of defeating the group. However, the recent military operations are a sign that the government is committed to taking on Al-Shabaab and improving the security of the country.
