A group of peacekeeping troops drawn from Somalia, Ugandan and the African Union (AU) killed more than 30 al-Shabaab militants and injured several others during a joint operation in southern Somalia on Thursday.
According to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), the operation was carried out with support from international partners, combined air and ground strikes near the Bulunagaad forward operating base to target al-Shabaab positions and weaken the group’s operational capabilities in the Lower Shabelle region.
Following the Somali army’s Operation Hidden Sword, which drove al-Shabaab rebels out of coastal towns, terrorists assaulted the Somali army and AUSSOM forces.
The peacekeeping team pledged to continue working together to reduce al-Shabaab’s power and promote long-term security, stability, and peace throughout the Horn of Africa.
Al-Shabaab, a terrorist group with ties to al-Qaeda that operates in southern and central Somalia, has been fighting an insurgency against the Somali government for nearly 16 years, frequently attacking civilians, officials, and security forces.
With the help of the AUSSOM and other foreign allies, the Somali army has increased its operations against al-Shabaab since July of last year.
In December, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of the AU mission for a further year, with a resolution supported by the UK extending it until December 31, 2026.