MOGADISHU, Oct 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Somali National Army (SNA), killed 12 members of al-Shabab fighters, in an operation in the central region of Hiran, a military official said yesterday.
The operation was conducted in an area between Bule Burde and Jala Laqsi towns, where the militants were forcing the locals to pay mandatory charities, and security forces later reached the neighbourhood, said Mohamud Hassan Ibrahim, commander of SNA’s 5th Unit, division 27.
“The militants tried to fight against the army, and there was a stiff confrontation that lasted for hours, but we managed to subdue them, killing 12 of the militants,” Ibrahim said.
He added that, the army also burnt combat vehicles from the militants during the fierce fight.
The government forces have recently intensified operations against al-Shabab extremists, in the central and southern regions, where the militants are still hiding in rural areas, conducting ambushes and planting land mines.
