MOGADISHU – Somali army forces will launch new military operations against Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab in south of the country, according to regional officials.
Mohamed Ibrahim, governor of Lower Shabelle, said the army forces would carry out joint military offensive to flush out the militants in the region.
Ibrahim said the group’s fighters still continue control towns and villages in the region.
Ibrahim’s remarks came after Somali especial forces backed by US troops carried out joint operation against Al Shabaab in Awdhegle town in the region.
The US military said four militants were killed in airstrike carried out on December 4 after US and Somali forces came under ambush attack by Al Shabaab.
But, the armed group Al Shabaab denied the claims by US, saying the group’s fighters had foiled the attack on its base.
