Friday April 7, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali government forces recaptured the Galcad district in the Galgadud region on Friday, a day after the government announced the beginning of the second phase of the offensive against al Shabab in central Somalia.
Danab, a unit of U.S.-trained commandos, entered the district, one of al Shabab's strongholds in the Galgadud region. Al-Shabaab had controlled the district since Somali government forces left the area a few weeks ago.
Government officials have not commented on the operation. The district residents fled several days ago, and how many casualties died due to the fighting is unknown.
In January, Islamist al Shabaab militants attacked the Galcad district, killing five soldiers, including Major Hassan Mohamed Osman (Ture), the deputy commander of the Danab commando force. Security analysts believed the attack caused the government forces to withdraw from the district, which al Shabab immediately retook.