Baidoa (KAAB TV) – The Somali National Defense Force (SNA), specifically the 8th Battalion under the 60th Division, has conducted a successful and strategic military operation targeting Al-Shabaab militant hideouts in the western part of the Bay region.
The carefully planned operation took place in the villages of Garas-Gamaan, Xinshiloole, and Waney—rural areas located between the Bay and Bakool regions, approximately 40 kilometers from Wajid town in Bakool. These areas have long been considered remote strongholds for the extremist group.
According to Dhamme Onkod Maallin Adan, the Commander of the 45th Division under the 8th Battalion, the operation achieved its intended objectives. In a statement to the media, he confirmed that the military had successfully disrupted Al-Shabaab’s efforts to destabilize the region.
“Our forces were able to foil a plot orchestrated by Al-Shabaab to undermine the peace and security of these communities,” Commander Onkod said. “The operation was part of a larger mission to clear these areas of insurgents, allowing local residents to live in safety and without fear.”
This operation forms a key component of the Somali National Army’s broader campaign to reclaim territory from Al-Shabaab militants across the country. The goal is to eliminate insurgent threats, restore governmental control, and pave the way for long-term peace and development in conflict-affected regions.
The Somali government, with support from international partners, continues to intensify its efforts to weaken Al-Shabaab’s influence and bring lasting stability to the nation.