MOGADISHU: Two joint Somali-US airstrikes killed 12 Al-Shabab militants in central Somalia and destroyed a ship carrying weapons for the Al-Qaeda-linked group, the Somali government said on Thursday, following recent advances by the Islamists.
The airstrikes came hours after the Islamists attacked the strategic town of Adan Yabal, which lies about 245 km (150 miles) north of the capital, Mogadishu, and has been used as an operating base for raids on Al-Shabab.
Al Shabab has been waging an insurgency since 2007, seeking to seize power and rule based on its own strict interpretation of Islamic law, and it has been gaining ground since last month.
Several senior Al-Shabab fighters were among those killed in an airstrike carried out by Somali forces and the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) in the Adan Yabal district late on Wednesday, Somalia’s government said.
“The targeted strike hit a site used by the militants as a gathering and hideout,” the Ministry of Information said in a statement on the social media platform X, adding that no civilians had been killed in the strike.
A further airstrike was conducted by the government and AFRICOM on an unidentified and unflagged ship and smaller support vessels that were transporting weapons for Al-Shabab within Somali waters, the ministry said.
The vessels were destroyed their occupants were killed, it added.
In a separate incident on Thursday near the southwestern city of Baidoa, the national army killed at least 35 Al-Shabab fighters as they tried to attack a military base there, the ministry said.
Al Shabab briefly captured villages within 50 km (30 miles) of Mogadishu last month, raising fears among residents of the capital that the city could be targeted.
Somali forces have recaptured the villages briefly seized last month, but Al-Shabab has continued to advance in the countryside, leading the government to deploy police and prison guards to support the military, soldiers have told Reuters.
The outcome of the heavy fighting that broke out on Wednesday in Adan Yabal was not immediately clear, with government forces and Al-Shabab giving conflicting accounts of who was in control of the town.
Al Shabab said its forces had overrun 10 military installations during the fighting.
US-Somali airstrikes kill Al-Shabab militants, hit weapons ship, government says
https://arab.news/yn5vf
US-Somali airstrikes kill Al-Shabab militants, hit weapons ship, government says
- Somali government, US Africa Command carry out airstrikes
- Somali troops kill Al-Shabab fighters attempting to attack base
Britain’s King Charles honors UK train attack ‘hero’ Samir Zitouni
- Zitouni was hailed a hero for protecting passengers during a knife attack on a train in England last month
LONDON: King Charles met “heroic ” British-Arab train guard Samir Zitouni at a reception at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
Zitouni was hailed a hero for protecting passengers during a knife attack on a train in England last month.
The king was pictured shaking hands with Zitouni, who was seriously injured when he intervened as an attacker stabbed passengers on a Doncaster to London service on Nov. 1.
The train was diverted to Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire following the incident.
Known as Sam to friends, Zitouni attended the reception with his wife, Eleni Sakkoulei, alongside members of the public and railway staff who displayed exceptional bravery during the attack.
The suspect arrested in connection with the incident has been charged with multiple offenses, including possession of a bladed article on Nov. 1, as well as other offenses in the hours leading up to the attack.
He remains in custody pending court hearings scheduled for next year.
A GoFundMe page set up to support Zitouni, who has worked for LNER for more than 20 years, has raised almost £80,000 ($107,000).
In a statement shared on the crowdfunding page, Zitouni’s wife said he “acted as a shield to protect the lives of others,” adding that he would do the same “for anyone, regardless of color, age, gender, religion or origin.”
Fund organizer Gemma Royce said the appeal was launched while Zitouni was in critical condition in hospital, to allow the family to focus on his recovery.
LNER managing director David Horne said Zitouni’s actions were “incredibly brave,” adding that the company was proud of all staff who showed courage during the incident.
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said Mr. Zitouni had gone to work to do his job and “left a hero,” while shadow transport secretary Richard Holden said he would be nominating him for a gallantry award.
