Al Shabaab loses most of Jubaland

By Patrick Mathangani in Dobley, SomaliaThe full picture and impact of Operation Linda Nchi began to take shape as Kenyan troops and Somali soldiers drew their last military strategies to take over the entire Jubaland region.The forces were planning to seize remaining towns in upper and lower Jubaland and Gedo in the coming three days before hitting Kismayu, an Al Shabaab stronghold key to dislodging the militia from the war-scarred country.On Saturday, The Standard on Sunday also came face to face with the destruction left in the wake of the military onslaught to liberate Somalia from the terrorists linked to al-Qaeda.Somalia's Transtional Federal Government soldiers patrol Dobley on Saturday. Picture: Maxwell AgwandaSomalis happyKenya’s forces were striking through three important routes as they continued to advance through towns already seized from Al Shabaab in a week of intense fighting. In Dobley, however, cheerful residents said they were happy with the support of Kenyan troops, saying they had been liberated from the militants’ cruel rule.TFG’s Major Mudu Mohammed said the forces were plotting to strike Tilip, Afmadow, Buale and Jamama before arriving in Kismayu. He said Kenyan soldiers were providing aerial support through bombardment, as well as shelling Al Shabaab hideouts to drive out the militants.In one of the advance routes, Kenyan troops had entered Somalia through Elwak and had taken Busar. On Saturday, they were advancing toward Fafadun and were aiming to reach Bardere.In the past week, more troops had advanced from Dobley to Tabta and Qoqaani. Together with the troops that advanced through Elwak, they are awaiting orders on an awaited major raid on Afmadow in coming days. The forces have dug in at Haya, a small hamlet about 25km from Afmadow.The third route involved soldiers moving through Ras Kamboni. They are advancing toward Padmadow town. All the three routes will take the troops to Kismayu for the final onslaught against the terrorist movement.Kismayu is the third largest city in greater Somalia after Mogadishu and Hargeisa, which is in Somaliland. The militia is reported to have dug in to protect their most important town, which is a major source for ransom money and has an international airport and harbour."The Kenyans have really assisted us," said Major Mohammed, speaking near Dobley. "Whenever we get stuck, we ask them to shell Al-Shabaab hideouts. They have also given us good air support."He said the Al Shabaab is severely weakened, and he did not expect fierce resistance.Militia splits"They are very poor right now. They do not have enough ammunition," he added. "We are winning the war."There were reports of differences within the Al Shabaab ranks, with claims some senior leaders had been murdered.But even as the military pondered the ease with which it dislodged the militia, there were concerns over whether control of the towns would be sustained. It was feared that the rag-tag militant group dreaded for its cruelty, could hit back with guerilla tactics that would make the country ungovernable.With a poorly-trained police force, the government also faced a major test in providing security and rebuilding the impoverished country. The police station in Dobley, for instance, is a single block of an old building with only a handful of officers. Key institutions such as hospitals are in disrepair."The hospital is damaged; it has been destroyed. But we still have to do whatever we can to assist patients," said Dr Hiray Abdi, who heads the Dobley hospital.Soldiers injured in the fighting could not get the help they require."They are doing their best to help me in these circumstances," said Abdi Ahmed, a Ras Kamboni Brigade fighter injured during intense fighting near Taptap. However, Abdinasir Serar, a spokesman for the Ras Kamboni Brigade, said he doubted the militants would regroup. He said it was the first time the terrorists had suffered such major losses and had been scattered.

Al Shabaab loses most of Jubaland

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