Somali army kills over 200 al-Shabaab militants, liberates large swathes of territory

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – The Somali army has killed over 200 rebels with ties to the al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group al-Shabaab during military operations that took place in three states and liberated large swaths of territory from the group, a senior government official has said.

Somalia’s Information Minister Daud Aweis said at a news conference in the capital Mogadishu that the operations took place in Galmudug, South West State, and Jubaland.

“Over 200 al-Shabaab Khawarijs have been killed by the army this week,” he said.

He added that the army also liberated large swathes of territories from the group in the Mudug region and captured a “senior” explosive expert.

Aweis also said President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called on Somali people to contribute $1 per person to the “national defense and liberation program.”

“This move is intended to speed up military operations to eliminate ‘terrorists’ and give people more opportunities to participate in ongoing operations,” he explained.

The Somali National Army has been fighting al-Shabaab since President Mohamud declared an “all-out war” on them after his re-election for a second term in May last year.

Under increasing pressure from military operations, al-Shabaab members have intensified attacks in the country in recent days, targeting security personnel, military bases, and government installations.