Somali army kills Al-Shabaab militants, including commander

The Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab is battling against Somali and AU troops in several regions in south and central Somalia with an aim to take over the country as the Taliban did in Afghanistan last year.

News Keydmedia Online
18 July 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The commando forces of the Somali National Force, DANAB have carried out a planned operation against Al-Shabaab in the Lower Jubba region, south of the country.

The US-trained elite troops targeted a checkpoint in the ​​Labakus where Al-Shabaab used to extort the people and the vehicles passing through the area and collecting the animals as a forced Zakat.

The command of the 16th Battalion of the DANAB said that during the operation, 5 Al-Shabaab members were killed, including the commander in charge of financial affairs in the area, whose name was shortened to Ismail, while one other was arrested.

The operation also led to the seizure of the weapons the militants were using, including 4 AK47 guns and one BKM, said a statement from the Somali military. Al-Shabaab is yet to comment on the claims.

The Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab is battling against Somali and AU troops in several regions in south and central Somalia with an aim to take over the country as the Taliban did in Afghanistan last year.

Al-Shabaab's biggest source of income is generated by extorting money from farmers, herders, and business people in both the areas under its control and government-held towns, including the capital, Mogadishu.

Keydmedia Online has learned that  Al-Shabaab is estimated to be collecting approximately $15-20 million a month as extortion. The group uses the money to finance its terror attacks.

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