Al-Shabaab in big retreat as offensive advances in central Somalia

Al-Shabaab lost 20% of its strongholds in central Somalia to the Somali army during the weeks-long operations assisted by locals and the US military.

News Keydmedia Online
25 September 2022

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia - The Somali forces with the support of Mawiisley, a self-organized militia took over the control of the Moqokori town in the Hiran region from Al-Shabaab on Sunday.

The armed forces entered the area this morning, after the withdrawal of Al-Shabaab fighters who are now facing the strongest military pressure that forced them to retreat from their bases.

The troops have also reached the village of Tardo near Moqokori, where they will continue their activities to target the Al-Shabaab group, according to the military commanders on the ground.

Moqokori is an important area that fell to SNA and the takeover dealt a big blow to Al-Shabaab which controlled it for many years, having important facilities, such as the customs office and courts.

Al-Shabaab lost 20% of its strongholds in central Somalia to the Somali army during the weeks-long operations assisted by locals and the US military conducting airstrikes on the militants.

In the past few weeks, Somalia's state media reported that several key villages were liberated, all located in Hiran, Galgadud, and Bay regions during the military campaign.

Despite losing ground, the group still poses threat to security, carrying out a suicide bomb attack at a military base in Mogadishu on Sunday morning, killing at least 11 recruits.

KEYDMEDIA English