Somalia News Gazette

The Somali government reported on Monday that government forces have captured two towns previously controlled by militant group al-Shabab in the central Galmudug State.

Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur told VOA Somali that government forces and local fighters seized Harardhere and Galcad after the militants fled without a fight.

Harardhere is a key coastal town and a former pirate hub. It was the biggest and most strategic town in Galmudug that was still in the hands of al-Shabab until Monday.

“Today, it’s a big day for the Somali people, it’s a victory for the Somalis,” Nur said. “We have succeeded in taking control of Galcad and Harardhere districts.”

He said Somali government forces were leading the operation to seize both towns with support from regional and local fighters.

Nur said Harardhere is largely empty and accused al-Shabab of “displacing” the civilians from the town before government troops arrived. Business places are closed down, he said.

He said the government will work on returning the residents to the town.

The capture of Galcad, about 375 kilometers north of Mogadishu, and Harardhere indicates the government-led offensive against al-Shabab in central Somalia is progressing.

The government has reported killing hundreds of militants and seizing dozens of localities in neighboring Hirshabelle state since the military operations were launched in August.

The government has also reported shutting down hundreds of bank and mobile money accounts allegedly linked with al-Shabab in an effort to curtail the group’s revenue generation activities.

Al-Shabab – known for imposing a harsh, punitive brand of Islam in the areas it controls — has fought back with suicide bombings and retaliatory attacks. An explosion from a suicide car bomb hit a building housing a security officer in Halgan village, Hiran region on Monday. a police official told VOA Somali.

Colonel Hassan Kaafi Mohamed Ibrahim, a deputy police commander in Hiran region confirmed that the explosion killed Jamal Ahmed Jama, a captain with the local security forces.

Jama was a government officer who was also involved in the local force mobilization against al-Shabab, reports say.

Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the suicide car bombing in Halgan, 260 kilometers north of Mogadishu.

The group also said it has inflicted “heavy losses” through other recent suicide bombings.

Al-Shabab was behind three explosions in Hiran region’s Bulobarde and Jalalaqsi towns on Saturday, killing 13 people and wounding over 50 other people, according to local officials.

On January 4, more than 20 people, a majority of them civilians, were killed in two explosions from vehicle-borne explosive devices in Mahaas town, in the eastern part of the Hiran region.

Source: Voice of America

Mogadishu Somali National Army with support local fromvforces have fully taken control of El-dher town in Galgudud region after Al-Shabaab militants fled from it due to fear from the joint forces waging offensive operation.

Defense Minister of Somalia, Abdukadir Mohamed Nur told Somali National News Agency that the forces are pursueing terrorists to the direction in which the militants escaped.

SNA forces with support from locals and International Partners made military gains in the past 24 hours as Harardhere, Gal’ad, and El-dher towns in Galgudud and Mudug regions are among those liberated so far.

Source: Somali National News Agency

Mogadishu Somali National Army killed 21 terrorist militants and injured others after the militants tried to raid SNA base at Hawadley area in middle Shabelle region under Hirshabelle State on Tuesday Morning.

Somali National Army Chief, Odowa Yusuf Rage told Somali National News Agency that the forces resisted two car bomb attacks and fighting from terrorist fighters and responded their awkward acts swiftly.

He said that SNA forces lost five soldiers including their commander during the fight against Al-Shabaab militants, telling the base and area are under full control of the army at moment.

“We killed 21 terrorist militant group of Al-Shabaab and injured others at Hawadley SNA base in middle Shabelle region early in the morning. Our forces resisted and fought with terrorists as soon as the army learned the group’s intention to raid the base with two car bomb attack”, The Army said.

The Army Chief said that the SNA forces with support from locals and International Partners made military gains in the past 24 hours, saying Harardhere, Gal’ad, and El-dher towns in Galgudud and Mudug regions were among those liberated.

Source: Somali National News Agency

Mogadishu Defense Minister of Federal Government of Somalia, Abdukadir Mohamed and Galmudug State President, Ahmed Abdi Kariye visited Wisil area in Mudug region to speed up the fight against Al-Shabaab.

The Minister applauded Galmudug State forces and local forces whose enormous role in the fight to eradicate the Al-Shabab terrorists from the country resulted in more progress.

President Kariye on his side pointed out that the militants have been expelled from the southern region of Mudug, saying the joint forces will continue to fight untill all areas under Al-Shabaab militants cleared out.

On the other hand, Somali National Army backed by Galmudug State forces captured Barag Sheikh Amir location in Galgudud region in the same state today. The Army also arrested Al-Shabaab commander who was identified as Abdi Ali Gadid duirng the operation.

Source: Somali National News Agency

Mogadishu- Following President Hassan’s call to the Mogadishu population to identify and report any suspects that have links with Al-Shabaab militants to the authorities on Thursday, January 12, 2023, residents enhanced their collaboration with relevant security agencies by reporting suspicious terrorist element in which they encounter during their routine life.

The President termed residents ‘contribution will help Government succeed in its campaign against the terrorist militant group of Al-Shabaab.

Benadir regional authorities, Police, Security chiefs, and community leaders held a meeting aimed at responding President’s order on implementing strategies to counter terrorism and rooting out terrorist elements in community houses and clothes as the President designated Al-Shabaab militants ‘bedbug’.

These officials underscored the importance of beefing up the security situation in the capital Mogadishu, therefore, Security police started conducting a home-to-home investigation in search of terrorist militant members and suspects linked to the group at houses in districts across the Benadir region this week.

Yesterday, Security forces arrested a woman and seize weapons that she was hiding at her home in Dharkenley district southwest Mogadishu after conducting a planned operation there overnight.

One of the security officers told Somali National News Agency SONNA that they are conducting investigations into the woman and the weapons found in the house, telling they would share results to relevant agencies and courts in the days as soon as possible.

Security analysts say that the residents’ engagement and collaboration with Security agencies and Police on ensuring the capital was good signal, adding that it would bear fruit.

Source: Somali National Agency

The Federal Republic of Somalia led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has launched a concerted efforts to eradicate the pernicious influence of extremist group Al-Shabaab. Central to this strategy has been the targeting of the financial resources of the organization, which has been predicated upon the illicit acquisition of funds through nefarious means. To this end, the government has implemented measures to close a significant number of bank accounts and mobile numbers that were utilized by the group for the transfer of funds.

President Mohamud has been forthright in his condemnation of the group’s use of these funds to perpetuate harm upon the Somali population, and has articulated a clear determination to completely sever their access to financial resources. The Dan-Qaran Government has also issued warnings to the Somali people and merchants to refrain from engaging in any form of economic transaction with the terrorist organization. Additionally, the government has provided a mechanism for members of the public to report any information that may be pertinent to the ongoing efforts to disrupt the group’s financial networks.

These efforts have yielded substantial successes, with the group’s military capabilities being significantly degraded as a result of the disruption of their financial resources. This has enabled the government and local forces to reclaim territory that had been under the control of the extremists, thereby alleviating the suffering of the local population. Furthermore, the government has taken steps to arrest traditional leaders who were in league with the group and has targeted and dismantled the illegal courts that were used by the organization to exert control over the population.

Prime Minister Hamse has emphasized that providing financial support to the group constitutes a criminal act,warning that any individuals found to be involved in such activities will be held accountable. In light of these efforts, it is clear that the group has been severely weakened and that their eventual elimination from areas where they continue to operate within the country is a realistic prospect. This is a significant victory in the ongoing struggle against extremism in Somalia.

Source: Somali National News Agency