Somali president hassan sheikh mohamud announced a significant victory by somali government forces and jubbaland state darawish troops in battles against alshabab in lower juba on Monday,resulting in the deaths of 80 militants,including several leaders.
The offensive targeted bulo hajji,baar sanguuni and harbole,where government forces repelled a militant assault and seized a large cache of weapons,including RPGs,BKM machine guns, and AK47 rifles.The operation is part of a broader effort to eradicate alshababaab and restore government control in the region.
“Today’s significant defeat on the khawarij in bulo hajji and horboole in jubbaland signals their downfall,’’President mohamud said.
“The heroes of the somali armed forces have thea capability to liberate every area where they are hiding.
Colonel ahmed ali of the somali national army added,’’Our forces in collaboration with jubbaland’s darawish successfully neutralized over 80 militant who posed a threat to our country’s security.This operation demonstrates our commitment to eradicating alshabab and ensuring peace in the region”.
Jubbaland president ahmed Mohamed islam madobe also congratulated the forces,emphasizing the reopening of the road between Kismayo and afmadow,wich militants had previously disrupted.
The government forces safely detonated four car bombs around 80 km southwest of Kismayo and repelled attacks on three army bases.Videos posted by jubbaland officials showed at least 35 bodies in military fatigues near bullo haji,five soldiers were reported killed and at least six miltants were captured alive.
Despite alshabab’s claims of killing 71 soldiers and capturing weapons and vehicles,somali officials did not confirm SNA casulaties but emphasized the successful repulsion of the attacks.
The somali military says it has regained control of these areas from alshabab and is continuing efforts to gather the bodies of militants and pursue those who fled.The conflict in lower jubba near the Kenyan border,is part of alshabab’s traditional stronghold and strategic operations.
Source: hiiraan online