Army drives out al-Shabaab terrorists from central Somalia strongholds

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – Areas in Somalia’s central Galmudug state that were considered strongholds of the al-Shabaab terror group were reclaimed in military operations, authorities announced on Tuesday.

Hareerdhere and Imaamd, both in the southern part of Mudug, a region in Galmudug, were liberated in operations by the Somali military and paramilitary troops, according to Mohamud Adan Abdi, a police officer in Galmudug who spoke to Anadolu Agency over the phone.

The towns of Ba'adweyn, Qaycad, Sabeena, and Gowrac, along with other areas, were also reclaimed, Galmudug’s Security Ministry said.

“Al-Shabaab withdrew from their strongholds and the army took full control of the towns,” read a ministry statement.

Over recent weeks, the Somali military has intensified its offensive against al-Shabaab, which is linked to the al-Qaeda terror group, in the country’s southern and central regions.