Agency
At least 30 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), operating under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), in a joint offensive with the Somali National Army (SNA).
The fierce exchange took place on Saturday and Sunday morning in Sabiid-Anole town in the Lower Shabelle region, a strategic area recently recaptured by Al-Shabaab after the drawdown of foreign troops ahead of the planned full handover of security responsibilities to SNA.
Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF Spokesperson, said the operation — codenamed “Operation Silent Storm” — followed a three-day siege that forced the militants from their hideouts and underground tunnels.
UPDF teams also recovered a cache of weapons and dismantled numerous Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by the militants,” Maj Gen Kulayigye said.
Brig Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, the Sector One Commander, described Sabiid-Anole as a critical operational hub for the militant group.
He added that following the operation, AUSSOM and SNA forces are firmly holding the liberated area and are conducting further clearance operations across Afgooye District to eliminate remaining terrorist elements.
