Foreign troops, suspected to be US forces, have launched an operation against bases held by Al Shabaab militants in the south of Somalia’s Middle Juba region.
The operation was conducted on Saturday night in Wehel-Marow area, which lies about 60 km west of the rebel-held town of Jilib, according to Jubaland State military officer, Hussein Khaire.
Khaire told The Messenger Africa that an unidentified warplane had dropped heavily armed soldiers in the area, and battled with armed militants of Al Shabaab, causing unconfirmed casualties.
He says the group’s leader, Ahmed Omar Abu Ubeyda was believed to be staying where these foreign troops attacked. There was no immediate response from the Al Shabaab militants over the raid on its bases.
US troops and warplanes have been targeting bases manned by Al Shabaab in southern and central Somalia for the past few years.
Reporting by Abdirizak Mohamud Tuuryare