Wednesday August 26, 2020
Beledweyne (HOL) The Somali National Army (SNA) has announced that they have launched an offensive operation against Al-Shabaab in areas under the control of Hirshabelle administration.
The commander of the 16th battalion, Abdimalik Maalim, told the media on Monday that government forces were preparing for the operation, as Al-Shabaab attacks in Hirshabelle have been escalating in recent days.
"We have conducted operations in Jubaland, Galmudug and Southwest, and now we are launching Hirshabelle," Commander Abdimalik Maalim told Sabahi.
The operation is being launched at a time when Hirshabbelle officials struggle to secure the corridor between Jowhar and Mogadishu.
Local and federal officials have expressed their intention to liberate more area's under Al-Shabaab control as the country gears up for the election season.