(13-10-23) MOGADISHU — The Somali National Army and local forces have crossed the Shabelle River to its west bank, pursuing retreating Al-Shabaab militants. The move was confirmed Thursday by Deputy Minister of Information Abdirahman Yusuf Omar Al-Adala.
This important manoeuvre comes shortly after the security forces successfully cleared the Ali Foldhere forest in the Middle Shabelle Region, disrupting Al-Shabaab’s plans to harass the nearby states of Hirshabelle and Galmudug.
“The military initiative won’t stop at the river’s edge. Our forces have crossed the Shabelle River to the west to relentlessly pursue the retreating Al-Shabaab militants,” Deputy Minister Al-Adala told VOA.
The move follows a month of intense combat between the national army and Al-Shabaab in the forest areas of Ciid-Ciidka and Jimbilow fields near the eastern bank of the Shabelle River. As of Wednesday, Somali forces also announced capturing and clearing Al-Shabaab trenches in the Ciid-Ciidka forest area.
Halqabsi News
