MOGADISHU, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) and Somali security forces on Monday recaptured two strategic towns in southern Somalia from al-Shabaab militants.
El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, special representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia and head of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), said the joint operation, carried out with international partners, secured the towns of Daarusalaam and Mubarak, long used as strongholds by the extremist group.
"The liberation of Daarusalaam and Mubarak sends a clear message that terrorist strongholds will not endure in the face of our unified and sustained action," Diene said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, on Monday evening.
The AU envoy, who commended the courage, professionalism and sacrifice demonstrated by Somali and AUSSOM forces during the operation, reaffirmed the AU mission's commitment to supporting Somalia's stabilization efforts.
"AUSSOM remains steadfast in its mandate to support the government of Somalia in defeating al-Shabaab, protecting the Somali people, extending state authority, and advancing Somali-led peace and stability," he said.
The operation was conducted under the newly launched Operation Rolling Thunder, which aims to dismantle key al-Shabaab strongholds, cut off routes used for terrorist activities, weaken al-Shabaab's operational capacity, and protect civilians and key strategic sectors.
Diene emphasized that these operational successes demonstrate enhanced operational planning, coordination, and a strong partnership between Somalia and the AU in advancing the shared objective of restoring peace, security, stability, and state authority across the entire country. ■
