Somali military liberates strategic town from al-Shabaab terrorists

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - The Somali national army, backed by security forces from the southern state of Jubaland, liberated the strategic area of Janay Cabdalla in the Lower Juba region on Saturday from the al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group al-Shabaab.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said fighting against the terrorists continues “and we are going to attack the enemy everywhere.”

Janay Cabdalla is 60 kilometers (37 miles) west of the port city of Kismayo and is an important route that connects many areas of Jubbaland.

The liberation of Janay Cabdalla comes one day after al-Shabaab terrorists attacked national army bases in Galcad that the army liberated from terrorists last week.

That attack killed more than seven soldiers, including US-trained commando (DANAB) deputy commander Hassan Tuurre.

The government said the army thwarted the attack and killed 100 terrorists.

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack and said it killed more than 150 soldiers, including senior military commanders.

Galcad is a strategic town located 375 kilometers (233 miles) northeast of the nation’s capital of Mogadishu.

The group has intensified its attacks, mainly targeting security personnel and bases, since the army, backed by residents, started its offensive against the terrorists.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared a “total war” on all fronts against the terrorists and since the announcement, the army has scored significant victories against the group.

Earlier this week, the army liberated Haradhere, which had been under the control of the terror group for more than a decade.

Somalia has been plagued by insecurity for years, with al-Shabaab and Daesh/ISIS being among the main threats.

The UN has warned of growing instability in the country, issuing periodic reports last year that detailed attacks by al-Shabaab and pro-Daesh/ISIS terror groups.