Somali government forces clashed Sunday with armed militias in the village of Yaq-bari-weyne near Wanlaweyn town, Lower Shabelle region officials said.
At least three militia members were killed, and four others captured, including two wounded, during the fighting, according to local military authorities.
Col. Ahmed Gashan, commander of the army’s 7th Battalion, said the operation targeted five men previously sentenced by military courts.
Troops aimed to dismantle illegal roadblocks disrupting travel for months, Gaashaan said, adding the operation freed detained civilians from militia checkpoints.
“We conducted a major operation to track convicted militants harming communities,” Gaashaan said, “removing roadblocks and releasing people held by armed groups.”
A brief firefight erupted when troops approached the checkpoint. Three militia members were killed, four captured, and several weapons seized, he said.
Gaashaan said army operations would continue in Wanlaweyn and surrounding villages in Lower Shabelle, a region long plagued by clan violence.
Federal MP Dahir Amin Jesow claimed women and children were killed in Yaq-Bari-Weyne during what he described as Gashan’s operation.
Jesow urged his clan to defend themselves following Saturday’s military action, escalating tensions in the already volatile Lower Shabelle region, he said.
