The Somali National Army (SNA), on Sunday, killed 60 al-Shabab militants and wounded several others in a joint operation near Halgan town in central Somalia, the government said.
This as coming as 110 people died due to flash flooding from the El Nino-induced heavy rains.
The operation targeted al-Shabab militants and their commanders, who were re-grouping to attack areas in central Somalia, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism said in a statement.
“SNA and international partners also destroyed several terrorist bases and weapons in the areas.
“The army is still pursuing the terrorists who escaped from the scene,” the ministry said.
The al-Shabab group has not commented on the latest military operation.
The Somali Government forces, backed by the African Union Mission in Somalia, drove al-Shabab out of Mogadishu in 2011.
But the terrorist group is still capable of conducting attacks, targeting government installations, hotels, restaurants and public places.
Flooding Claims More Lives
Meanwhile, the death toll from the El Nino-induced heavy rains and flash flooding have killed at least 110 people.
The flooding affected more than 2.4 million others in Somalia, the UN humanitarian agency said on Sunday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the devastating floods have exacerbated Somalia’s hunger crisis.
It has displaced more than one million people in at least 36 districts.
OCHA stated it deployed 37 boats to deliver supplies or evacuate thousands of people trapped by flood water.
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This deployment covers 10 locations in Hirshabelle and Jubaland states, OCHA said in its latest Update.
Raging flash floods that began in October have also disrupted infrastructure, trade, education and food supply services across the country.
The floods followed the worst drought in the country in four decades. These have decimated livestock and crops, pushing the country to the brink of famine.
According to OCHA, concern continues to grow over the likely spread of water-borne diseases with suspected cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD)/cholera in Hirshabelle and Galmudug states.
“An outbreak would pose a significant threat to communities with limited healthcare facilities,” it warned.
The agency said humanitarians, authorities and local communities have assisted at least 820,000 people, about 30 per cent of those affected.
It said light rain is forecast over the coastal areas of Middle Shabelle, Lower Juba and Banadir until Dec. 5. It also forecast dry conditions over the rest of the country and Ethiopian highlands.
OCHA, however said water levels remain high along the Shabelle River basin, with flooding reported in several areas.
“Twenty villages to the east of Jowhar town in Hirshabelle State are reportedly inundated.
“Mahaday town, which has been deluged for a month, has seen its sanitation facilities and some houses collapse,” it stated. (Xinhua)
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