ISTANBUL

The Somali army has taken control of an area in southern Somalia used as a hideout for the Al-Shabaab terror group during an ongoing operation, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

The ministry said Somali forces are working to secure the Hawaadley area in Middle Shabelle as part of the newly launched Operation Badr, a military offensive targeting sites used by the terrorists as “safe havens.”

It said operations are continuing to pursue remaining militants and carry out clearance activities in the areas recently taken from the al-Qaeda-linked group.

It added that the operation destroyed several al-Shabaab positions and storage facilities.

The ministry and army command stressed that counterterrorism operations “will continue to intensify.”

The ministry announced Operation Rolling Thunder on March 1, which is conducted as part of the broader Operation Badr and backed by international allies, including Ugandan troops serving with the African Union mission (AUSSOM).

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 authorization until Dec. 31.​​​​​​​