Senior leaders in Somalia's Al Shabab killed in raids
A least four senior commanders of the terrorist group were killed after their gathering got targeted, Somalia spy agency says
Twin operations carried out against the Al Shabab terrorist group in Somalia’s central regions killed more than 22 terrorists, including senior leaders of the group, the Somali intelligence agency said on Saturday.
The first operation in the Dumaye area of the Mudug region, where senior leaders of the group were targeted, killed 15 terrorists, including four senior figures, according to the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
The second in the South-Central region of Hiran targeted two houses sheltering terrorists, killing about seven, including two key financial leaders of the group.
“These operations resulted in the killing of more than 22 conspirators who were engaged in organizing attempts against the security of the Somali people,” said NISA.
It said the spy agency has intensified operations against the group to “clear their remnants from all areas where they hide.”
Al-Shabab has conducted terrorist attacks against the Somali government for more than 16 years, frequently targeting security forces, officials and civilians.
Since last July, the Somali army, with the support of the AUSSOM (African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia) and other international partners, has stepped up operations against the group.
The AUSSOM’s mandate was renewed for another year by the UN Security Council in December, with a resolution extending authorization until December 31.