Mogadishu, The Somali National Army (SNA) killed members of al-Shabab fighters in an operation in the central region of Hiran, a military official said on Saturday. The commander of SNA’s 5th Unit Division 27, Mohammad Hasan Ibrahim, said the operation was carried out in an area between the cities of Bule Barde and Jala Luxi where militants were forcing local people to make compulsory donations. “The militants tried to fight against the army, and there was a stiff confrontation that lasted for hours, but we managed to subdue them, killing 12 of the militants,” Ibrahim said.
He added that the army also burnt combat vehicles from the militants during the fierce fight.
The government forces have recently intensified operations against al-Shabab extremists in central and southern regions where the militants are still hiding in the rural areas, conducting ambushes and planting land mines.
Government forces have recently intensified operations against al-Shabaab extremists in the central and southern regions where militants are still hiding in rural areas.