20 al-Shabab militants killed in southern Somalia
The Somali National Army and international partners on Saturday killed 20 al-Shabab militants during an operation in the lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia, an official said.
Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala, deputy minister of information, culture and tourism, said that the joint forces hit the militants in their hideout during the dawn operation.
A military offensive against the militants has been intensified in central Somalia, Al-Adala added
The African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) confirmed its commitment to support Somalia-led military operations against Al-Shabaab militias to ensure peace and stability. security in Somalia before the withdrawal of ATMIS in December 2024.
"Our goal, as ATMIS and all the stakeholders of this ATMIS operation, is to see Somalia safe, stable, prosperous and peaceful for those who live and live with the world," ATMIS Army Commander Sar. General. Sam Okiding told Somali journalists during a press conference on Tuesday at ATMIS headquarters in Mogadishu.
The Commander of the Army said that ATMIS is focusing on improving the quality of the Somali Security Forces (SSF) to take over the responsibility of the country's security, while ATMIS is gradually withdrawing its troops from the country.
"One of our most important roles is to ensure that we provide advice to the Somali Security Forces so that when we leave Somalia there will be no security gaps," Sar Guud. Okiding explained that.
In the first phase of the reduction, which ended in June, ATMIS withdrew 2,000 soldiers from the country and transferred six bases where it was previously active in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670 (2022).
Together with the United Nations and the Federal Government of Somalia (DFS), the ATMIS operation has completed the technical evaluation of the first phase, and is now preparing to withdraw 3000 more soldiers from the country.
The recommendations of the technical assessment will be presented to the UN Security Council on 31 August, with additional information on preparations for the second phase expected on 15 September. The withdrawal of 3000 African Union troops in the second phase is expected to be completed by the end of September according to the United Nations resolution number 2687.
Sar. Gas Okiding praised the ATMIS forces for their military operations in cooperation with the Somali security forces in the Galgaduud region after they succeeded in weakening the power of Al-Shabaab in the regions of Lower Jubba, Lower Shabelle, Hiran and Middle Shabelle.
"The ATMIS forces have maintained the achievements they have achieved in recent years without recapturing any land from Al-Shabaab, and have carried out their duties to protect civilians, United Nations agencies, charitable organizations and others. said Sar. General Okiding. He added, "Earth must be captured and the old must be protected. ATMIS has strengthened all these achievements.”
The Army Chief urged the international community to continue supporting the peace process in key areas including troop recruitment, lifting of arms embargoes, capacity building, deployment of critical capabilities and provision of predictable and sustainable funding for ATMIS and DFS.
He praised the Somali National Defense Force (SDF) who succeeded in taking over six bases that were handed over in June, noting that ATMIS will continue to support the transition process led by Somalia, which they have finally handed over. will have full security responsibility. at the end of next year.
