Mogadishu May 03, 2023 (SD) – The Somali National Army launched a military operation in the Cali-Qaboobe area, located approximately 30 km south of Xarardheere district in Mudug region, reportedly killing a large number of Al-Shabaab militants.

The chairman of Xarardheere district, Mohamed Yusuf Kulmiye, stated that government forces had received intelligence on the presence of Al-Shabaab fighters in the area and launched an operation to eliminate them.

He also mentioned that the operation resulted in the deaths of up to 60 militants and that the government forces captured some of the group’s equipment.

In a statement, the Minister of Defense, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, also confirmed that the Somali National Army had killed several Al-Shabaab militants and destroyed their vehicles during the operation.

Al-Shabaab has not yet issued a statement in response to the operation.

The government has been conducting military operations against Al-Shabaab in an effort to weaken the group and restore stability to the region.