MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s government said the second phase of a military offensive against the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab would start soon, Caasimada Online news website reported on Saturday.
Ministry of Defense spokesman Abdullahi Ali Anod told state media that the second phase of the offensive is currently being planned, a week after Somali troops bolstered by clan militias and Turkish and US drones seized control of the town of Adan Yabal in the Middle Shabelle region.
On Saturday, Al-Shabaab said it had killed a number of soldiers and clan militias in attacks near the recently recovered town, releasing graphic images showing dead bodies of soldiers to support its claim. The group also claimed to have captured a village near the town of Mahas in Hiran region in an overnight attack.
President of Hirshabelle region Ali Gudlawe and other regional officials arrived in Adan Yabal on Friday, where they have met with army commanders and clan militias.
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