Gal'ad attack: Both Al-Shabaab and Somalia military claim victory

Somali military in Mogadishu, Somalia. Photographer: AFP/Getty Images

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Friday's Al-Shabaab attack on Somali National Army [SNA] at Gal'ad town, about 30 kilometers north of Mogadishu remains the worst violence targeting government troops in 2023, even in the midst of the ongoing crackdown against the militants whose influence is fast waning across the country.

The government of Somalia has admitted losing at least seven soldiers among them Major Hassan Osman Mohamed alias Hassan Tuure, one of the senior commanders of the Danab Special forces, a contingent of the Somali National Army which is trained and equipped by the US Africa Command.

Besides the death of seven soldiers, the government of Somalia confirmed that close to 100 Al-Shabaab militants were killed by the SNA soldiers who had the backing of the foreign troops. The retaliatory attack by SNA also led to the seizing of over 5 vehicles from the militants.

But the Al-Shabaab militants disputed the figure noting that they managed to kill over 145 soldiers who were at the site besides confiscating over 45 armored vehicles from the government troops. The Al-Shabaab dwells on propaganda in most instances whenever they lose trajectory.

The soldiers had made triumph entry to the town and Haradhere as the militants withdrew tactically from their fronts. Interestingly, the militants organized themselves and unleashed in the early morning hours on Friday leading to the worst encounter, which left dozens of people from either side dead.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sent condolences for the loss of soldiers killed in the al-Shabaab attack on Galcad. The statement confirmed that the Deputy Commander of the 16th battalion of Danab Hassan Tuure was among those killed in the attack. Hassan Mohamud praised the bravery of the soldiers.

Tuure was the second high-profile commander to die in an Al-Shabaab raid this week after Jamal Ahmed, who was also killed on Tuesday. The government has pledged to whip out the militants from their hideouts while calling on the civilians to take arms against the Al-Shabaab.

GAROWE ONLINE