Monday May 8, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali government forces, working in collaboration with local clan militias in the Galgadud region, have apprehended three high-ranking members of al-Shabaab, according to officials.
The joint operation occurred on Sunday in the Hul Adur and Halaney areas of the Eldheer district in Galgadud. The apprehended individuals, Abdi Mohamed, Ali Abgalow, and Mohamud Alasow, were allegedly responsible for extorting bribes from public vehicles travelling within the region.
"The army has been pursuing the three, who had been hiding in the Hul-Adur area, for the past few days," said the Somali government.
Officials from government forces in the Eldher district stated that they would continue operations against al-Shabaab in the Galgaduud region of the Galmudug administration.
Since last August, Somalia's army has been conducting joint offensives with local militias against al-Shabaab as part of a "total war." The first phase of the anti-al-Shabaab operations resulted in over 2,000 militants being killed and the liberation of several significant towns, including Harardhere and Galad.
Last week, President Mohamud announced that the second phase of the operation would soon commence in Somalia's South West State and the Jubaland region, with the expectation that al-Shabaab would be eradicated by year's end.