ISTANBUL

The Somali army, backed by international allies, including Ugandan troops serving with the African Union mission (AUSSOM), captured key al-Shabaab-held areas in southern Somalia on Monday, a Somali Defense Ministry statement said.

The forces secured Daarusalaam and Mubaarak in Lower Shabelle region, areas that had served as strategic strongholds and “safe havens” for al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab terrorists.

The ministry said Operation Rolling Thunder, announced on Sunday and conducted as part of the broader Operation Bader, directly targeted terrorist-run illegal courts, hideouts for senior members, and sites used to plan and launch attacks on civilians.

It said the operation “dealt a significant blow” to al-Shabaab, destroying key command posts and weapons caches while fully securing the liberated areas and continuing operations to hunt down remaining terrorists.

Earlier, the ministry vowed that Operation Rolling Thunder will continue until the terrorist group is “fully eradicated as a threat to peace, progress, and state-building in Somalia.”

Al-Shabaab has been engaged in an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years, frequently targeting security forces, officials and civilians.

Since last July, the Somali army, with the support of the AUSSOM and other international partners, has stepped up operations against the group.

The AUSSOM’s mandate was renewed for another year by the UN Security Council in December, with a UK-backed resolution extending its authorization until Dec. 31.