Somali National Army (SNA) backed by Ma’awisley local clan forces early on Tuesday morning launched an attack against Al-Shabab militants stationed in Geelgub settlement in Middle Shabelle province. Geelgub settlement is under the administration of Adale district.
It was Al-Shabab’s last stronghold in which the militant group took control for the past couple of weeks. Reports confirm that the Somali troops and Ma’awisley forces attacked Al-Shabab fighters who established bases when it comes to the entrance of the settlement.
The two sides engaged in a fighting that ensued between gov’t troops and Al-Shabab fighters. Commanders of Somali National Army (SNA) said that the troops seized the settlement after fierce fighting broke out between the gov’t troops and Al-Shabab fighters.
The Commanders said that they chased Al-Shabab fighters from the area. State-run-media say the government troops conducted operations in the outskirts of Geelgub settlement and its environs.
The state-run media reported that the Somali troops inflicted heavy casualties on the militant group. The media understand that the Somali National Army (SNA) raided the settlement after airstrikes were conducted targeting Al-Shabab militants stationed in Geelgub.
If the Somali troops successfully retook Geelgub, it will ease the pressure on Masajid Ali Guduud in which the Somali National Army protect the security of Adale district from there.
Al-Shabab militants reinforced their presence on the liberated settlements in the East of Middle Shabelle province, days after the operations commenced in Middle Shabelle province which are aimed to liberate the areas from Al-Shabab’s control.
Al-Shabab militants reinforced their presence in the East of Middle Shabelle province in which the attacks the group conducted had major impact when it comes to the second phase of the liberation which kicked off in Middle Shabelle province.
Al-shabab militants have a clear objective when it comes to surging attacks in Middle Shabelle province which were aimed to defend its stronghold in districts that lie in the West bank of the Shabelle River.
The Somali gov’t and the Military Command eased the terrible situation in the province after gov’t troops increased attacks against Al-Shabab militants.
The Deputy Information Minister, Abdirahman Yusuf Omar alias Alcadaala, has said: ” For the fifth consecutive morning, the gallant Somali troops and Ma’awisley forces attacked Al-Shabab militants that are stationed in Hirshabelle. Somali troops moved into Geelgub. Al-Shabab militants were killed there.”
The Somali National Army (SNA) took control of Ruunirgod district on Monday and will reinforce their presence to the border of Middle Shabelle and to Galgudud provinces.
