PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Release)

AMISOM PR/015/2016

Top Al-Shabaab commander killed in major SNA and AMISOM offensive

Mogadishu: April 2, 2016: A top commander of the terrorist group Al-Shabaab was killed last night in a joint operation by the African Union forces (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army (SNA) in Janaale south of the capital Mogadishu.

AMISOM’s Sector One Commander Brigadier General Sam Okiding confirmed that notorious Al-Shabaab commander for Janaale Abdirashir Buqdube together with 22 other terrorists was killed following airstrikes and ground operations against the insurgents’ hideout along the Buufow road in Janale.

A further dozen terrorists had been put out of action over the last two days as they attempted to ambush and disrupt AMISOM and SNA troops that were undertaking developmental activities such as borehole repairs and clearing up of roads for free movement around the area.

“AMISOM and SNA forces shall continue clearing these roads as we have so far completed two major roads: one from Beldamin to Qoryooley and another from Beldamin to Shalamboti. We are now clearing the one from Buufow to Janaale where Al-Shabaab have been trying to put up resistance,” Brig. General Okiding said.

The allied forces (AMISOM and SNA) will continue to clean up Al-Shabaab held areas in Janaale to liberate residents of Al-Shabaab tyranny. “Al-Shabaab cannot hide and we shall continue to work hard to deny them safe haven until the people have been liberated from Al-Shabaab terror,” he said.

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