...... al-Qaeda's tentacle in East Africa...has kidnapped 30 civilians as the group is facing massive military pressure.
Military officials who asked to remain anonymous told Shabelle Media Network that the gunnies snatched the people from different locations near Beledweyne city.
Some were taken from passenger vehicles traveling on the roads near the city with the SNA officials describing the abduction as Dire Revenge for the community’s involvement in the ongoing offensive against al-Shabaab in Hiran.
They added that the troops launched an operation to rescue the unarmed people from al-Shabaab. The hard boy group is yet to comment on the military claims.
Last week, two vehicles ferrying at least 20 people have been kidnapped by al-Shabaab in a remote area located between Halgan and Bulo-Burde within the province.
Dozens of people were killed and many more injured in the current war against al-Shabaab, which the government said gained more territory previously held by the group.
Somali president Hassan Sheikh said on Saturday in his new year’s address to the nation that 2023 will be a re-liberation and reforming of the economy and security year.
Al-Shabaab which has been battling to oust the Somali government and expel AU troops is now in trouble after losing a major group and grip due to the army operations.
Garowe reports on one incident:
Al-Shabaab has reverted to the abduction of civilians as they continue to lose ground in the Horn of Africa nation, with the latest reports indicating that the team kidnapped about nine civilians, in what could trigger another operation by security forces in the country.Multiple sources said the bully boyz ambushed and carjacked innocent civilians within the Halgan District of the Hiiraan region, where the government troops have been conducting operations with the help of US Africa Command and the African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS].
Within the same region as well, the local militia has been instrumental in flushing out the murderous Moslems, perhaps the reason behind the latest ambush by al-Shabaab
...... the personification of Somali state failure...targeting civilians. Hundreds of civilians have taken arms against the group which is gradually losing dominance over the country.
Two mini caravans were targeted by the bully boyz who are determined to make a point over the ongoing crackdown, witnesses said. The bully boyz blocked the road near Dheenweyne and opened fire, forcing drivers to try to seek refuge at the banks of the Shabelle River.
"Last night, between Maghrib and Isha prayers, al-Shabaab ambushed civilians coming from Halgan District to do business. They traveled in two vehicles, a Noha and a Homey, with roughly 20 passengers on board," a resident told the media in confidence due to the sensitivity of the matter.
"Al-Shabaab opened fire, and some individuals managed to leap out of the truck and flee, but they kidnapped the people who couldn't escape, mainly the elderly," explained the Dheenweyne local, while noting that the whereabouts of those kidnapped are still unknown.
After the incident, the al-Shabaab bully boyz seized the vehicle and dozens of passengers before crossing over the Shabelle River in Western Hiiraan. The group is active in Western parts of the troubled region where the government troops have been camping.
Last year, the group kidnapped at least 21 civilians and ended up slaughtering them in what is linked to local mobilization against the bully boyz in Hiiraan, Galgaduud, and Bay regions.
The group has significantly lost strategic towns and has reverted to desperate measures which include abducting innocent people.