- The al Shabaab militants were killed in an offensive on their camp in Welmaro, a town located 40 kilometres from Afmadow.
- It is believed the improvised explosive devices were to be used in attacks Boni, Ijara, and Garissa areas of Kenya.
Image: INTERIOR MINS
KDF soldiers and troops from the Somalia National Army(SNA) on Saturday killed 40 al Shabaab terrorists in an offensive on the Lower Juba region that is still under the control of the militants.
The al Shabaab militants were killed in an offensive on their camp in Welmaro, a town located 40 kilometres from Afmadow.
The area is near the Kenya-Somalia border which is often breached by the terrorists.
The operation, which took place at dawn, targeted a hideout where the terrorists were gathering and a weapons depot belonging to al Shabaab.
The SNA forces, supported by airstrikes from international partners, were able to completely destroy the hideout and depot, as well as kill over 40 militants, including several high-ranking leaders, officials said.
The SNA and its international partners have been stepping up their operations against al Shabaab in recent months, in an offensive to eradicate the group.
The latest attack is a significant blow to al Shabaab and is a clear indication of the SNA’s determination to defeat the group.
The Ministry of Defense in Somalia confirmed the attack to the Somali National News Agency, stating that at least 40 al Shabaab members were killed, including some leaders.
Kenyan sources said the troops captured a minibus with 28 IEDs already assembled, several RPGs and AK47 and approximately Sh200,000(Kenyan currency).
It is believed the improvised explosive devices were to be used in attacks Boni, Ijara, and Garissa areas of Kenya.
“Through intelligence sources, a compound in Welmaro, Somalia was identified as an IED assembly location and was destroyed,” officials said.
KDF troops under African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the SNA special forces conducted the successful raid on the compound. Officials said the troops are inching closer to Xagar (Hagar) town in the Lower Juba region.
Capturing Xagar could give the troops an advantage to be in a position to attack Buale, the official capital of Jubaland state which has been under al Shabaab control for more than 15 years.
Buale is also the regional capital of Middle Juba, the only region entirely controlled by al Shabaab. And with the ongoing operation in parts of Somalia against the al Shabaab, Kenya expects the attacks in the border region will continue
This is after most of the terrorists ran away to find refugees along the border where they cross for attack.
The terrorists have been attacking places near the Kenyan border by using guns and explosives leaving dozens dead and many injured.
The gang behind the attacks cross from Somalia and launch them amid a campaign to address the issue. Somalia has not had a stable government after the fall of Siad Barre in 1991.
Kenyan troops are in Somalia under African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to help in fighting the al Shabaab terror group.