SNA Soldiers Seize New Areas In Gedo From Al-Shabab Fighters

Somali National Army (SNA) Soldiers have seized several areas in Gedo region after they engaged gun battle with Al-Shabab fighters in the past two days, officials say.

At least 10 people died from both sides and scores injured in hours of fighting in areas around Ara-Ase locality.

One SNA commanders, Abdullahi Osman Issack who gave interview to Goobjoog News said that their soldiers attacked Al-Shabab controlled areas in Gedo.

“We engaged gun battle with Al-Shabab fighters, we killed seven fighters and our soldiers have taken control of several areas under Ara-Ase town” he said.

He added “During the fight three of our soldiers sustained injuries, we thank Almighty Allah, nobody died from our side”

Meanwhile Al-Shabab did comment on the claims from Somali National Army commander.

Since Somali government soldiers backed by AMISOM soldiers launched offensive, code named Operation Juba Corridor which is aimed at further degrading the Al Shabaab by removing them from their strong holds in the Gedo, Bakool and Bay regions of Somalia.

Al-Shabab has been weakened as a military and political force since being driven out of the Somali capital Mogadishu by African Union forces. Since then, the group has lost several other important towns including Barawe, Kismayu, Bardhere and Diinsor which it relied on, as a source of revenue and supplies.

On 26th this month Al-Shabab used lorry laden with explosives to attack Jazeera hotel which was housing foreign diplomats and other government officials.

The explosion claimed lives of 10 people and injured more than 25 others.

The group said it was responding to assaults by an African Union force and the Somali government.

The Al-Shabab, meaning “youth” in Arabic, emerged out of a bitter insurgency against Ethiopia, whose troops entered Somalia in 2006 in a US-backed invasion to topple the Islamic Courts Union that was then controlling the capital Mogadishu.

Al-Shabab fighters continue to stage frequent attacks, seeking to counter claims that they are close to defeat after losing territory in the face of repeated African Union and Somali government offensives, regular US drone strikes against their leaders and defections.