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The Somali National Army, backed by local militias, has been fighting al-Shabaab in south-central provinces for the past two and a half years, liberating large swaths of territory
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By Our Correspondent in Mogadishu
Somalia announced on Wednesday that its forces have captured a high-ranking member of the terrorist group al-Shabaab in a military operation conducted in the central Galgadud region.
Ali Geelle, a senior leader affiliated with al-Shabaab, was apprehended by the Somali National Army (SNA) in the Galhareeri district, according to a statement from the Somali Defense Ministry. The ministry noted that Geelle was responsible for extortion and recruiting children into the terrorist organization.
In addition to his capture, Somali forces seized a vehicle, a firearm, and ammunition during the operation. The Somali National Army, backed by local militias, has been intensifying efforts against al-Shabaab, particularly in south-central regions, over the past two and a half years. These operations have resulted in the liberation of key territories, including the strategically important coastal town of Haradhere in the Mudug region.
Somalia continues to grapple with insecurity, with al-Shabaab and Daesh/ISIS posing significant threats. Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group, has been fighting the Somali government and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) since 2007. The group has escalated its attacks in response to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s declaration of an "all-out war" against the militants.
The recent arrest is seen as a significant blow to al-Shabaab's operations in the Galgadud region, as the government steps up its efforts to dismantle the group's network and bring stability to the war-torn country.
Torch Media Africa
