Somali Forces: 7 Islamist Militant Killed In Central Somalia

[Coeus]

Belet-weyne, Somalia (AHN) - Government forces in the Hiran region of central Somalia killed at least seven militants from extremist group Al Shabaab in operations in the town of Belet-weyne, officials said Monday.

Ahmed Osman Abdulle, a government military officer, said their troops conducted operations in the town's suburbs, spelling out that they clashed with a number of extremists in the area.

“Operations were to assure the security of the long road between Belet-weyne town and Kabeyrka junction, which is very near to the Somalia-Ethiopian border,” Abdulle was quoted as saying.

The clash took place in the neighborhood of Hawo-taako where a number of Islamists were killed, according to Abdulle.

Al Shabaab neither denied nor confirmed the government’s statement.

The government claim comes while the Hiran region is mostly is in the hands of the group. Government forces have bases in Kalbeyrka about 10 kilometers from the town of Belet-weyne where insurgents are based.

Frequent clashes take place in the region. In mid-October, the heaviest fighting between Somali government forces and Al Shabaab militants broke out in the strategic region, which lies in central Somalia.

About 25 people were killed and many others wounded in those battles


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