Somali army set to widen offensive against Al-Shabaab
Somali troops preparing for new offensives in central regions of Galgadud and Mudug. Source: SNTV News
The Somali National Army (SNA) is set to widen offensive against Al-Shabaab militants in the country’s central regions of Galgadud and Mudug, according to state media on Monday.
“[The] Somali National Armed Forces are advancing on new fronts in Galgadud and Mudug regions to liberate the [the remaining] districts under Al-Shabab terrorists’ control,” a Twitter post by SNTV News read.
SNTV said Al-Shabaab “suffered huge losses” in the hands of the SNA and allied local militias known as Macawiisley since the beginning of the offensive four months ago.
Meanwhile, the US embassy in Somalia said it handed the Horn of African country with weapons, vehicles, and equipment worth $9 millions to support the offensive against the terrorist group.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Sunday, defense minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur welcomed Washington’s lethal and non-lethal support to Somalia saying they “will boost” SNA’s capabilities.
Following his election in May last year, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced an “all-out war” against Al-Shabaab militants which saw the Somali army leading offensives against Al-Shabaab that have led to the liberation of vast territories from the group in south and central Somalia.
