Mogadishu: The Somali Ministry of Defense announced Friday that army forces, in cooperation with local forces, destroyed hideouts of remnants of the Al Shabaab movement, affiliated with Al Qaeda, in the Middle Shabelle region in the south of the country.
According to Qatar News Agency, the ministry's spokesman Sheikh Abubakar Moalim stated that the operation, dubbed "Silent Storm," was part of efforts to clear the area of armed elements. During the operation, the joint forces destroyed hideouts where remnants of the movement were hiding. He confirmed that the operation did not result in any casualties among the Somali forces, noting that efforts are underway to assess the losses incurred by the militants during this campaign.
The Somali Ministry of Defense announced the start of a military operation last Wednesday to clear areas in Shabelle and Middle Shabelle of remnants of the Al Shabaab movement. The operation has so far resulted in the destruction of militant hideouts, while military engineering units continue extensive combing operations to remove mines and explosives in the two regions.