MOGADISHU, Somalia – Two Al Shabaab group’s figures were killed in joint military operation carried out Somali army forces, along with African Union troops in south of Somalia.
The pair operatives were killed in clash with the joint forces in Qoryoley town, some 20km southwest of Somali capital Mogadishu, according to SONNA media.
SONNA quoting Somali military officer, reported that the two figures’ names were identified as Mo’allim Hussein and Farah Dahir Hirale, the group’s Amniyat operatives.
Hirale, an Amniyat operative, who is reportedly a veteran of the war in Syria, according to SONNA.
There was no word from the armed group in Somalia over the latest military claims.
Somali army forces, backed by African Union peacekeeping soldiers launched an operation in villages near Qoryoley town, a day after an ambush attack in the town.
The operation was aimed to disrupt the group’s militants’ activities and deny them access to strategic areas of the town, some 120km southwest of Somali capital Mogadishu.
In phone interview, Somali army chief, Colonel Hussein Hosh says the operation would continue until the militants are eliminated.
Last week, Somali based group Al Shabaab claimed to have killed 7 Ugandan peacekeeping soldiers with the African Union mission in Somalia.
The Al-Shabab has been waging an insurgency in Somalia for more than 10 years.
A 22,000-strong African Union force is in the country to help the government fight the al-Qaeda-linked militants.
The group has been driven out of many urban areas since 2011, however it still controls territory in rural areas and carries out gun attacks and bombings on military and civilian targets.
With Reporting by Abdirisak Mohamud Tuuryare from Mogadishu, Somalia
