Somali Army Launches New Maneuver Against Al-Shabaab

The army’s latest campaign in the central region of Hiran comes as African Union troops, which has been helping with peacekeeping operations in the country since 2007, scale down its operations. Senior military officers said the offensive is part of a broader strategy to weaken the militant group’s hold on the region.

Hiran has reportedly been a key battleground in the war against Al-Shabaab, with government forces and local clan militia engaged in a relentless struggle to defeat the militant group there. Analysts said the success of this new offensive could be a turning point in the conflict, signaling a “significant shift in the balance of power”.

Source » allafrica.com