In the last few hours, federal troops, in conjunction with Southwest Darwish forces, have initiated military operations along the roads connecting the Bay, Bakool, and Gedo regions.
A federal government statement revealed that the forces have gained control over various areas, though specific names have not been disclosed. They have also dismantled locations used by militants for extorting money from public vehicles.
Military officials told Somali National Television that the mission’s goal was to secure the roads between the Bay, Bakool, and Gedo regions, where militants have sometimes executed terror activities.
On Thursday night, suspected al-Shabab militants launched at least ten mortar shells at an Ethiopian military outpost in the Hudur district of Bakool. According to residents, Ethiopian troops retaliated with artillery fire, but the number of casualties is still unknown.
Neither the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), the Southwest regional administration, nor the federal government have made any statements about the attack on the military base.
