Somalia claims killing al-Shahaab leader, getting hostages freed

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – Somalia has claimed to have killed a senior al-Shabaab leader during a military operation in the country’s Lower Shabelle region and to have freed several civilians who had been held hostage.

The Somali National Army (SNA) conducted the military operation, killing al-Shahaab leader Carab, known by his short name, and wounding Osman Daud and Aw Maay, senior members of the organization, according to Daud Aways​​​​​​​, the minister for Information, Culture, and Tourism.

The operation was carried out by an elite military unit of the SNA in the al-Shabaab-controlled town of Mubarak, located 95 kilometers (59 miles) southwest of Mogadishu, according to a statement issued by his ministry.

“Special forces of the Somali national army (SNA) have destroyed al-Shabaab’s financial center in Mubarak area of Lower Shabelle region of Southwest State of Somalia, killing the leader of al-Shabaab in the area and wounding nearly a dozen,” the statement said.

During the operation, it freed several civilians who were being held by al-Shabaab in the center, it added.

Residents in Mubarak, where the operation took place, told Anadolu Agency that several civilians were killed and more than a dozen others were injured during the military airstrike.

The Somali government has not responded to the claim of an airstrike.

Al-Shabaab claimed on its website that the airstrike in Mubarak late Friday killed at least 10 people and injured 20 more.

Since US President Joe Biden authorized the redeployment of US troops in Somalia, the country has seen an increase in airstrikes against al-Shabaab, most recently in the Hiran region, which killed more than 14 terrorists.

Since 2007, al-Shabaab has waged a deadly campaign against the Somali government and international forces that have claimed thousands of lives.

The UN in its annual report this year warned of growing insecurity in Somalia, detailing attacks by al-Shabaab and pro-ISIS groups.