Somali military nabs senior al-Shabaab militant

[Deeq A.]

Somalia’s elite forces captured a senior al-Shabaab militant in the Lower Shabelle region, the Information Ministry said Tuesday.

“The elite 1st Danab Advanced Infantry Battalion conducted an operation that resulted in the capture of a high-profile senior al-Shabaab member in the vicinity of Wanlaweyn. This operation was a massive win for the Federal Government of Somalia, the Federal Member States, and the Somali Security Force,” according to a statement.

The militant was identified as Ibrahim Mohamed Roble who operated in the region.

US African Command also confirmed the operation and said: “This successful operation, led by our Somali partners, demonstrates progress.”

Wanlaweyn, is located 90 kilometers (55 miles) southwest of the capital of Mogadishu.

The Somali military on Sunday arrested Somali-based the al-Qaeda affiliated group intelligence chief in Lower Shabelle.

Meanwhile, on Monday, at least seven soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb blast that targeted a military vehicle near the newly liberated town of Janaale, according to a local official who spoke to Anadolu Agency.

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.