SOMALIA / ANTI-AL SHABAAB OPERATION

Under the cover of night, soldiers from the Somali National Army with support from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) are on the chase for members of the radical al Shabaab group, which has been terrorizing the Elasha Biya area 15km west of the country’s capital Mogadishu. AU-UN IST

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:39
• Production Date: 28 November 2012
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: AFRICAN UNION - AU
• Subject Topical: PEACE AND SECURITY
• Geographic Subject: SOMALIA
• MAMS Id: U121128g

Description

STORY: SOMALIA / ANTI-AL SHABAAB OPERATION
TRT: 2:39
SOURCE: AU-UN IST
RESTRICTIONS: This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is not to be sold on and is restricted for other purposes. All enquiries to [e-mail]
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 26-28 NOVEMBER 2012, ELASHA BIYA, SOMALIA

Shotlist

26 NOVEMBER 2012, ELASHA BIYA, SOMALIA

1. Wide shot, rockets being fired at night
2. Med shot, AMISOM Ugandan commander talking to troops
3. Med shot, soldiers listening to commander
4. Close up, soldier’s face
5. Med shot, soldiers walking in the dark
6. Wide shot, AMISOM soldiers going on the night operation

28 NOVEMBER 2012, ELASHA BIYA, SOMALIA

7. Wide shot, AMISOM soldiers on the move
8. Wide shot, walking at the destination
9. Med shot, Operations Commanders and AMISOM Ugandan Deputy Contingent commander talking to troops
10. Med shot, Commander talking to troops
11. Med shot, troops being greeted by AMISOM Military Chief of Staff
12. Wide shot, troops at the airport
13. SOUNDBITE (English), Colonel Stefano Mugerwa, Operations Commanders and AMISOM Ugandan Deputy Contingent commander:
“Those past months, they were staying in town, staying in good accommodation, but now see where they are. It shows that there is not moral, the have no capacity to fight and also they don’t have ammunition. Wherever they are, if they hear that we are coming they just run."
14. Wide shot, Somali National Army soldiers under a tree
15. Close up, faces of members of the Somali National Army soldiers
16. Med shot, Somali National army soldiers with Somalia flag on their armband
17. SOUNDBITE (English), Captain Ibrahim Abdurrahman Sheikh, Somali National Army:
“We have good power and we have tactical activity, so they don’t have any food any water, as they are running away we are following them and we need to catch all of them."
18. Wide shot, AMISOM combined troops on the move
19. Med shot, soldiers’ boots
20. Med shot, AMISOM troops moving
21. Wide shot, troops moving in the bushes
23. Med shot, AMISOM troops moving

Storyline

Under the cover of night, these soldiers prepare for battle.

Using the night to their advantage, members of the Somali National Army with support from the Ugandan and Burundian contingents serving under the Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), are on the chase for members of the radical al Shabaab group, which has been terrorizing the Elasha Biya area, 15km west of the country’s capital Mogadishu.

After being pushed from the capital the Islamic extremist group al Shabaab has been using the thick forested area to hide and launched attacks along the Afgooye corridor, the main route west of the Somali capital.

The joint night-time operation was a complex one that required precision and timing with no light to see the enemy in case of an ambush. By first light the AMISOM troops had surrounded their target, but the al Shabaab members had fled. The area has now been takeover by the AMISOM troops, pushing the remaining militants further away.

SOUNDBITE (English), Colonel Stefano Mugerwa, Operations Commander and AMISOM Ugandan Deputy Contingent Commander:
“Those past months, they were staying in town, staying in good accommodation, but now see where they are. It shows that there is not moral, the have no capacity to fight and also they don’t have ammunition. Wherever they are, if they hear that we are coming they just run."

Although weakened, al Shabaab has resorted to unconventional hit and run warfare, ambushing and placing improvised explosive devises (IEDs) to target the local population and the forces fighting against them.

The Al Qaeda-linked group has over the last year lost most of their strongholds in major towns and cities across the country. Members of Somali National Army are on the forefront in efforts to rid their country of the militant group.

SOUNDBITE (English), Captain Ibrahim Abdurrahman Sheikh, Somali National Army:
“We have good power and we have tactical activity, so they don’t have any food any water, as they are running away we are following them and we need to catch all of them."

The AU forces are mandated to bring security and stability to Somalia, once known as the world’s most lawless nation. With the security situation improving, the country is now moving towards nation building. Over the last 18 months Somalia has seen major changes, with a democratically elected parliament choosing a new president, who in turn has appointed a new cabinet to govern the country.