Al-Shabaab attacks military base in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militants raided Bal'ad town in northern Mogadishu on Tuesday, officials said, in the latest attempt to reclaim their glorious past, which is marred with defeats and upsets after activation of the second phase of operations against the group.

The government of Somalia has activated the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab, a group that is determined to overthrow the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia, which has been in place since 2012.

According to reports, the group attacked a military base in Balad which is about 30 kilometers north of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. Multiple casualties were reported during the incident in the country, officials said.

The number of casualties is yet to be disclosed but both parties are said to have suffered in the process. The Somali National Army managed to contain the situation, as the group struggled to maintain the ground.

Attacks in the military bases are common in Somalia, with the group now reverting to cowardly attacks. The government has heightened surveillance in different parts of the country as it seeks to liberate the country.

Elsewhere, three Al-Shabaab militants surrendered to government forces in the Hiiraan region on Tuesday, police said. The three militants gave in to the security forces in the Farah-Libah district in the Hiiraan region, police said..

The defection adds to the increasing number of Al-Shabaab militants who have crossed to the government side following intense military operations and an existing amnesty from the government.

GAROWE ONLINE