Al-Shabaab briefly Seizes Sabiid Near Mogadishu; Army Commander and Guards Killed in Blast

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A senior Somali Army commander, Mohamed Nur, known as Jareere, and several of his bodyguards were killed in a bomb attack by Al-Shabaab militants Thursday morning near No. 50 area in the Lower Shabelle region.

The commander, along with his troops from the SNA's14th October Division, had been traveling from Awdheegle town to reinforce the troops in Sabiid, about 40 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu after it was attacked by Al-Shabaab militants.

Reports indicate that Nur and at least five of his bodyguards were killed when their convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) between Awdheegle and Sabiid. Several others were injured in the blast.

The situation in Sabiid and the nearby town of Caanoole outside Afgooye district remains tense, with both residents and security forces working to regain control of the area from the militants.

Somali Government forces have launched counter-offensives to secure the area after Al-Shabaab withdrew.

Earlier this month, Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for an ambush that killed another senior Somali Army officer, Abukar Abdulle “Garmaqate,” near the village of Boos Hareeri in the Middle Shabelle region.

GAROWE ONLINE