Additional details have emerged about a planned operation carried out in the past few hours by local defense forces (Macawiisleey) in the Mabaax area of the Hiiraan region, central Somalia according to close confidant sources.
The operation reportedly targeted suspected Al-Shabaab militants who were reportedly regrouping in villages surrounding Mabaax.
According to local sources, the tough operation aimed to prevent planned attacks by the militant group.
A commander from the local defense forces told local media that the mission was preemptive, based on intelligence about the militants’ movements. He said the troops dismantled hideouts that Al-Shabaab had covertly established in the vicinity.
“We destroyed secret shelters and hideouts the terrorists had built in the surrounding villages. Once we received intelligence, we moved swiftly. The militants fled the areas they were hiding in, where they had planned to organize attacks and cause harm to the Somali people,” said the commander.
The Hiiraan region continues to witness intense military operations against Al-Shabaab, especially as the group attempts to re-establish its presence in areas such as Abooreey. The security agencies indicated that the latest operation reflects ongoing efforts to keep the group from regaining footholds in liberated zones.
Mustaqbal
