A heavy battle started early this morning in areas of Hiiraan region near Buuloburde district. The fighting involved Al-Shabaab members who were captured as war prisoners.
Before the morning prayer, Al-Shabaab launched an attack on government and local forces stationed in areas near the Shabelle River that were recently freed from their control. This led to intense fighting.
The governor of Hiiraan region, Muuse Salaad Wehliye, told the National Media that more than 30 Al-Shabaab leaders and fighters were killed. The battle took place in Jiciboow, an area near the Shabelle River.
The governor also said that three Al-Shabaab fighters were captured alive. Their photos were shown with their eyes covered.
The spokesperson for Somalia’s Ministry of Defense, Abuukar Macalin, said in a press conference this evening that many Al-Shabaab fighters were killed, some were captured alive, and a large area was cleared of them.
Colonel Cabdullaahi Cumar Maxamed, the commander of the 27th division of the Somali National Army and one of the leaders of the operation, said that Al-Shabaab fighters hiding along the Shabelle River were driven out, and many were killed or injured.
The main battle took place this morning in areas between Beera-Yabaal and Jiciboow, near the Shabelle River and under the administration of Buuloburde. Al-Shabaab had been dug in there for a long time.
