Somali Army Announces Control of Helgen Area in Hiran Province Bordering Ethiopia

The Somali army announced that it has regained control of the Helgen area in Hiran province, central Somalia, from the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group Al-Shabaab. The army stated in a press release on Sunday that its forces managed to destroy several Al-Shabaab positions in areas of Hiran province, located on the border with Ethiopia. The statement added that the group’s elements withdrew from the Helgen area before the army arrived, according to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA).

The statement confirmed that the area is now under army control, noting that military operations will continue until the group’s remnants in the province are eradicated. It is worth mentioning that Somali forces have recently intensified their military operations against Al-Shabaab, which has carried out several attacks and bombings that have killed hundreds of civilians and security personnel. The forces have managed to regain control of several areas that were under the group’s control, especially in central Somalia, in recent months.