Somali army frees 6 villages from al-Shabaab group

Somalia’s military said on Wednesday that six villages in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region have been taken back from al-Shabaab fighters.

The liberated villages are War Dhagah, War Isse, Gaal Leef, Qoordheere, Jilable, and Ali Fooldheere, located just outside the town of Jowhar, the administrative capital of Somalia’s Hirshabelle state.
Jowhar is a strategic agricultural town that is some 90 kilometers (55 miles) from Somalia’s capital Mogadishu.

The Somali National Armed Forces said on Twitter that the army made “significant gains in today’s offensive against al-Shabaab strongholds … [and] also inflicted al-Shabaab huge casualties,”
The army will continue its operations against the terror group in the region, spokesperson Col. Ali Hashi told Somali military radio.

The military offensive against al-Shabaab comes as Somalia prepares for elections this year, with the federal government and regional leaders currently engaged in talks to resolve a deadlock over the polls.
Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble met with the presidents of five regions to address their concerns over the election’s conduct and paved way to resolve the deadlock.