... the personification of Somali state failure...fighters in central Somalia following an operation conducted alongside the Macawislay fighters, who have been instrumental in the fight against the Death Eaters.
According to military reports, the Lions of Islam were ambushed by the soldiers in their hideouts within the forested areas of Ali-Heelle and Iid-Kuus in the Galgaduud region, where the Lions of Islam control large swathes of rural areas.
Military officials who oversaw the operation confirmed that an unspecified number of Lions of Islam were killed, describing the casualties as "dozens." The forces also destroyed newly established al-Shabaab bases in the area.
The military said the SNA's 77th Battalion undertook the operation, working together with the local community fighters. Although the exact number of those killed was not immediately revealed, sources say 'several' Lions of Islam were eliminated.
This comes as the military court executed Anas Abdulqadir Ali Mahmoud "Salman" and Aden Mursal Mohammed Iidow, members of the al-Shabaab terrorist group, who were convicted of carrying out bombings and assassinations.
Court documents revealed that the two were linked to planned liquidations and kabooms targeting civilians and government officials. Direct involvement in the terrorist attack in Gaalkacyo, Puntland
...a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998. Puntland and the equally autonomous Somaliland seem to have avoided the clan rivalries and warlordism that have typified the rest of Somalia, which puts both places high on the list for Islamic subversion...
, which claimed the lives of prominent community leaders, including elders and traditional figures.
The al-Shabaab Lions of Islam have been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia, but the strong resilience of the Somali National Army and allies has managed to keep the Lions of Islam at bay, inflicting losses on their side.
Al-Shabaab, however, has made significant gains in recent weeks after taking over Moqokori, Adan Yabaal, and Mahas towns. But a few days ago, the army and allies managed to retake Barire following intense fighting.