Somalia’s military has captured a major town in the central Galgaduud region that has been controlled by the al-Shabaab terrorist group for more than 15 years.
The Defense Ministry spokesperson, Gen. Abdullahi Ali Aanod said at a news conference that the town of Wabho was retaken as part of an ongoing new offensive against the terrorist group.
He explained that the Somali army, with the support of local militias, captured some 250 square kilometers (96 square miles) of territory in Galgaduud, including the villages of Warhole, Elbore, and Elgorof.
Ahmed Abdikarim, a security analyst in the capital Mogadishu, said Wabho’s economic importance makes its loss a “huge blow” for al-Shabaab.
“Wabho is a strategic area that has a lot of villages and a significant population. This is a huge below for al-Shabab, particularly financially,” he stated.
