MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali military on Sunday claimed to have killed Al-shabaab leader in charge of improvised explosives following security operation in Lower Shabelle region.

In a statement, Somali National Army (SNA) said Ismail Jiis and ten other al-shabaab fighetrs were eliminated in covert operation by US trained forces in Haji village near Janale town.

“Eleven al-shabaab fighters including the group’s head of IED team were killed in the operation conducted by Danab forces. The leader killed in the attack is called Ismail Jiis,” the statement reads in part.

SNA confirmed that there were no casualties during the operation that happened on evening night.

The statement by SNA comes a day after Somali military took control of Afgoye military base from African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

The handover was in line with the Somalia Transition Plan, which is a comprehensive guide developed by the Federal Government of Somalia and its partners to the transfer of security responsibility from AMISOM to Somalia’s national security forces.

Situated some 30 kilometres northwest of Mogadishu, Afgoye was liberated on 26^th May 2012, when the Somali National Army (SNA) backed by AMISOM troops defeated Al-Shabaab militants during a joint-offensive operation called “Operation Free Shabelle.”

Afgoye FOB becomes the sixth facility to be handed over by AMISOM. In July 2017, AMISOM handed over Somalia National University, followed by the Mogadishu National Stadium hand over in August 2018. Later, AMISOM handed over Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy in February 2019, Via Afmadow base in Jubaland and Warsheikh Forward Operating Base in September 2019.

On 12^th of this month, the United Nations Security Council voted to renew the mandate of AMISOM, a peacekeeping force first deployed in the country in 2007. 

AMISOm which has been Somalia in the fight against Al-shabaab was allowed to operate in Somalia until 31 December this year.