Somali army kills 16 al-Shabaab fighters

Monday August 12, 2019
Mohammed Dhaysane

At least 16 al-Shabaab fighters were killed in Somalia after Somali special forces backed by Turkey trained forces attacked al-Shabaab positions in the region, state media said on Sunday.

The attack took place on al-Shabaab positions near the town of Awdhegle in Lower Shabelle region, according to state-owned radio.

Somali National Army (SNA) has confirmed the operation and casualty toll in a statement posted on Twitter.

“The 66th battalion while on active patrol today laid an ambush and killed 16 insurgents around Awdegle”, the SNA said in a statement.

At least 4 al-Shabaab militants were killed by the Somali military last Wednesday after fighters from the group had attacked a military post in Awdhegle town, Lower Shabelle region.

Somali special forces backed by African Union forces (AMISOM) in Somalia retook on Tuesday the strategic town of Awdhegle located 70 kilometers (43 miles) Southern Somali capital Mogadishu.