The Somali National Army, in collaboration with the Ugandan Defence Force, part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), this afternoon fully took control of the strategic town of Bariire, after a week of heavy fighting.
The carefully executed operation targeted members of the Al-Shabaab group who had been in the city and surrounding areas for a long time.
According to military officials, more than 100 Al-Shabaab members were killed in the operation, and a number of other prisoners were also captured.
The CXD and AUSSOM forces are currently conducting clearance operations in the city and surrounding villages, to ensure general security in the area. During the operation, a large number of weapons and military equipment left behind by the group were also seized, as confirmed by the Somali Ministry of Defense.
The Somali Ministry of Defense commended the courage and efforts shown by the Somali National Army and international partners, especially AUSSOM.
A brief press release from the Ministry said that more details would be released once the war data collection is complete.
“This operation is part of the ongoing efforts to eradicate terrorism with the aim of ensuring stability and security for the Somali people,” the Ministry said in a statement.
The city of Bariire is one of the most strategic locations in the Lower Shabelle region, and has long been a strategic base for Al-Shabaab. The capture of the city is a major setback for the Al-Shabaab group, and could be key to future military operations.
