The African Union Transition Mission (ATMIS) Burundi and Uganda troops in a joint military offensive with the Somali National Army (SNA) and local Ma’awisely volunteers have inflicted heavy casualties on Al-Shabaab terrorists at Cali Fooldheere in the Middle Shabelle region.

The successful operation followed days of an all-out ground and artillery offensive which concluded on Sunday 1st October to flush out Al-Shabaab militants from their hide out in Cali Fooldheere Forest.

The ATMIS Force Commander, Lieutenant General Sam Okiding, said, ‘The Cali Fooldhere Forest has particularly over the years become a strategic location where the terrorists plan deadly attacks and conceal ammunition including vehicles for Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs)’.

The African Union Special Representative for Somalia and Head of ATMIS, Amb. Mohamed El-Amine Souf congratulated the joint forces for a successful offensive. ‘I commend the brave efforts of our gallant ATMIS troops and the Somali National Army to
degrade Al -Shabaab.

ATMIS is fully committed to implementing the Somali Transition Plan which will culminate in the transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali security forces,’ he said. ATMIS and SNA Forces are currently holding the seized grounds and clearing small pockets of Al-Shabaab in areas located north of the Mahaday district in the Middle Shabelle region of Hirshabelle State.

Source: Somali National News Agency