President lauds locals for defeating Al-Shabaab in central Somalia

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the Presidential palace in Mogadishu, Somalia May 28, 2022. REUTERS/Feisal Omar

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has lauded residents of Bahdo in Galmadug for facing Al-Shabaab and defeating them in their own battle on Friday, in one of the most extraordinary encounters between civilians and the Al-Qaida-linked group.

Multiple reports indicate that residents of the town faced the militants in a battle that lasted for several hours, an encounter which has never been witnessed in the history of the struggling Horn of Africa nation in recent years.

Ahmed Abdi Kariye alias Qoorqoor, the president of Galmadug, claimed over 70 Al-Shabaab militants were killed in the fight which erupted on Friday morning as residents took arms and confronted the group. Kariye described the locals’ resistance against the militants as “historic”.

In a statement, President Hassan Sheikh who has declared war against the militants praised locals for defending the dignity of the federal republic of Somalia after boldly facing the militants and defeating them in their own war. The group attacked the town in the morning hours.

"People of Bahdo, this morning you have taught an unforgettable lesson to the Al-Shabab terrorists who attacked your town. You have sent a message of courage," said Hassan Sheikh who was sworn in last week as the 10th president of the country.

Earlier on Friday, the Galmudug state of Somalia said more than 60 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in the fighting on Friday morning, while Al-Shabaab claimed to have killed 27 during its attack on Bahdo area. In their own admission, the group said it lost nine fighters.

"The regional security forces of Somalia’s Galmudug State and local residents have gallantly repulsed an attack by Alshabab on Bahdo town, on Friday morning, killing 16 Alshabab terrorists, officials on the ground confirmed to State Media," SNTV confirmed.

Galmudug's Information Minister Ahmed Shire Falagle tells VOA that about 100 Al-Shabaab militants were either killed or wounded following Bahdo attack. Local leaders have displayed dead bodies of dozens of people said to be those of Al-Shabaab fighters.

The group has been losing battles in recent weeks, following a spirited fight by the Somali National Army. The United States has deployed close to 500 soldiers who will help to train and equip local troops and those from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE