Sunday July 6, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali National Army troops and allied
local forces killed at least 10 al-Shabab militants on Saturday after repelling
a pre-dawn attack near Gumarre, close to Moqokori in the Hiiraan region,
according to military officials.
The Ministry of Defence said al-Shabab fighters launched the
assault at around 5:45 a.m., targeting army positions in the area. Forces
responded swiftly, engaging the attackers for nearly two hours and inflicting
heavy casualties.
In a follow-up operation, joint forces struck militant
hideouts in Guulane, Daaru-nicma, and Alkowsar, all located in the Middle
Shabelle region. Among those killed were two senior al-Shabab commanders,
Mohamed Adow and Ali Xabad, who were accused of terrorizing communities and
extorting civilians under religious pretense.
Elsewhere in Middle Shabelle, Somali forces dismantled an
al-Shabab medical and operations facility in Moora Godan, located in the Raaga
Ceelle district. Officials said the site was used to treat wounded fighters and
coordinate attacks.
Additional operations in the South West State—specifically
in Baani, Lafoole, and Abal—resulted in the deaths of more militants, though
the Ministry did not specify casualty numbers in those areas.
The Ministry of Defence praised the Somali National Army and
community defense units for their continued commitment to defending the
country.
“These operations demonstrate the courage and resilience of
our forces in safeguarding Somalia from those who seek to destabilize it,” the
ministry said in a statement.
Al-Shabab, an al-Qaida-linked extremist group, continues to
pose a major threat in Somalia, despite ongoing military offensives aimed at
eradicating the insurgency.