Thursday April 18, 2024
Somali National Army confiscates an arsenal from Al-Shabaab militants—assault rifles, machine guns, and ammunition. CREDIT / SONNA
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali Federal Government forces, assisted by local residents, struck an Al-Shabaab stronghold during a pre-dawn operation in the Bardale district of the Bay region.
The targeted raid occurred in Taflow, a village approximately 28 kilometres south of Bardale, where militants had set up a base.
A government statement reported that the operation resulted in the deaths of nine Al-Shabaab members. Forces engaged using a variety of weapons.
"During the operation, the army and regional security forces recovered seven AK-47 rifles, one BKM machine gun, and multiple ammunition boxes. Nine militants were also killed," the statement read.
Recent reports indicate that the joint forces have now secured control over Taflow village, previously a hub for Al-Shabaab's planning and execution of attacks in the region.
Operations against Al-Shabaab are routinely conducted by Somali forces and local communities in the Bay and Bakool regions to disrupt the militant group's activities.