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13 Somali Soldiers Killed in Attack by Al-Shabaab, 6 Somalis Killed by a US Air Strike

June 11, 2019

 

US drone used in attacks in Somalia, file	Al-Shabaab claims bomb attack in Lower Shabelle region, June 10, 2019 shabelle

 

Puntland state forces begin operation following militant attack

Shabelle, June 11, 2019 234

The troops of Somalia’s Puntland state were reported to have launched a large-scale of operation in Bari region after Al-Shabaab captured a key base this week.

The local authorities say the state troops are hunting Al-Shabaab and the ISIL-linked militants in the mountainous areas, where the US military is carrying out drone strikes.

The move came days after Al-Shabaab fighters retook Af-Urur base near Bosaso city after Puntland soldiers withdrew from the area over unknown reasons before the capture.

For years, Puntland has been facing security threats from Al-Shabaab and Islamic State-affiliated faction based in Bari region.

Al-Shabaab claims bomb attack in Lower Shabelle region

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Al-Shabaab has claimed the responsibility for an explosion near Wanlaweyn district in Lower Shabelle region, south of Somalia on Sunday.

The blast which has resulted from a landmine planted along the road struck a water tank belonging to Somali national army, according to the local residents.

In a statement, Al-Shabaab said the bomb attack has inflicted casualties on the Somali soldiers traveling in the convoy, but, it did not disclose the number of the fatalities.

Al-Shabaab often carries out IED attacks against Somali and AU troops in Lower Shabelle region as the militant group faces joint military operations by SNA, AU and US forces.

Al-Shabaab carries out an assault in Jalalaqsi town

Shabelle, June 9, 2019 567

Al-Shabaab fighters were reported to have attacked a Somali government-controlled town in central Hiran region on Sunday amid ongoing airstrikes against the militant group.

The attack, according to the residents began with blasts at the city’s main bridge targeting Djibouti troops serving under African Union mission in Somalia [AMISOM].

The two sides engaged in a fierce gunfight and have exchanged heavy and small weaponry during the clash, which caused an unspecified number of casualties.

Al-Shabab said its fighters have killed 13 Djiboutian soldiers and burnt down a battlewagon belonging to the AU peacekeepers. There was no statement from AMISOM confirming or denying the claims.

The latest reports said the situation has returned to normal on Sunday following the attack.

Gunmen kill local administrator in southern Somalia

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Unknown assailants have shot and killed a local district official in Jowhar town, located some 90 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu, the Somali capital, witnesses said.

Abdirashid Haji, the deputy administrator of Gambole village in Middle Shabelle region was gunned down inside the city by men armed with pistols who managed to escape the scene.

HirShabelle stat security forces have sealed off the shooting site and launched an investigation into the murder as the killers are on the run.

There was no claim of responsibility for the assassination, however, local police pointed the finger of blame at Al-Shabaab, the Somalia-based Al-Al-Qaida-linked militant group.

US military says six ISIL militants killed in Puntland airstrike

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The latest airstrike by US forces in Somalia has left 6 Al Shabaab militants dead.

Officials say the airstrike was launched in the remote part of the Golis Mountains where the militants have set up cells.

In a statement, the US Africa Command said this is the seventh airstrike in a month against the ISIS-Somalia and Al-Shabaab.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. William West, who is the deputy director of operations, U.S. Africa Command said they will continue piling pressure on the terrorist networks in Somalia, to enable governance to take hold.

He said the continued precision airstrikes support Somali security forces efforts to protect the Somali people from terrorism and support long-term security in the region.

“U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with its partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia from AMISOM to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States. In support of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to assist in the protection of the Somali people, including partnered military counterterrorism operations with the Federal Government of Somalia, AMISOM, and Somali National Army forces,” he said in a statement to the media.

According to the US-Africa command, no civilian was injured during this week’s airstrikes.

Since 2007, Al Shabaab has fought to overthrow successive internationally-backed governments in Mogadishu.

It was in 2011 that the Al-Qaeda affiliated group was pushed out of Mogadishu, the Somali capital and subsequently from other key towns including the port city of Kismayu.

Kenyan forces are in Somalia fighting under the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

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