Somali authorities said Thursday that Al Shabaab has lost its last stronghold in the Middle Shabelle region (center), amid the reinforcement of operations against the terrorist group in recent months.
Somali Army spokesman Abdulahi Ali Anod said that government troops «have taken full control of Runirgod district», before adding that «the forces are pursuing the terrorists and carrying out a mopping up operation in the locality».
He stressed that the terrorists have suffered «heavy losses» during the operation and put the number of dead terrorists at 150, including five foreign nationals, as reported by the Somali state news agency SONNA.
Somalia has in recent months stepped up offensives against Al Shabaab with the support of local clans and militias as part of a series of decisions taken by President Hassan Shaykh Mohamud, who pledged on taking office to put the fight against terrorism at the center of his efforts to stabilize the African country.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
