Somali militarysoldiers attend the 56th anniversary ceremony of the establishment of the National Army in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, April 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse)
MOGADISHU, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Somali security forces and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops have arrested 10 Al-Shabaab militants and recaptured four bases during an operation conducted in Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia.
Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Mohamed Abdi Hayir told journalists in Mogadishu on Sunday that the Horn of Africa has stepped up efforts of local security forces and AMISOM to defeat terrorist groups in the country.
Hayir said the security operation which was conducted on Saturday evening was very successful in eliminating terror threats in the country.
"Our national army, accompanied by AMISOM conducted operations and recaptured four Al-Shabaab bases, including an illegal detention center and administrative building in Beled Amin, Lower Shabelle region of Somalia," the minister said.
He noted that the security forces will continue their operation in order to eliminate the threat posed by terrorists groups in Somalia.
"The security operation resulted in our security forces arresting nearly 10 suspected al-Shabaab terrorists," Hayir added.
The minister urged the security forces to continue helping needy people during such operations in the country.
"Somalia forces have retaken the buildings and disrupted Al-Shabaab's operations with no resistance. Our forces also conducted awareness and humanitarian needs meetings with nearby village elders and passed out much needed medical supplies to the community," he added.
The minister said the illegal detention station in Beled Amin was used to terrorize and illegally tax the people of the town.
"Al-Shabaab works to strike fear in the local people, yet they run in fear of the Somalia National Army (SNA) and AMISOM. This is definitely a victory for our forces and for the people of Lower Shabelle. This yet again proves that the SNA is a strong military force prepared to take the fight to Al-Shabaab," Hayir said.
