Somalia army repels attack on military base near Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somali government forces fended off an attack by the Al-Shabaab militant group near the capital city of Mogadishu Friday night, local authorities said, Garowe Online reports.

The al-Qaida-linked militants attacked Afgoye town in Lower Shabelle region, about 30 km southwest of Mogadishu from different directions, in an attempt to overrun a military camp run by SNA.

"They attacked the town and our forces responded. The fighting lasted a while before our forces defeated them," Osman Aden, a senior Somali army official, told Garowe Online by phone.

The officer said the militants suffered injuries but did not indicate any casualties on his forces.

Local residents said the fighting caused panic in the town. Bashir Mayow who lived in Afgoye said that the clash was deadly and left at least two soldiers dead.

"Al-Shabaab attacked us last night and the whole town was gripped by fear as Somali forces fought hard to push away the militants," said Mayow.

The al-Shabaab militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which comes as the group faces military pressure in the region and lost key areas to Somali and AU troops in the past few months.

At least 16 al-Shabaab fighters were killed in a heavy battle with the Somali National Army (SNA) in a small village near Haji Ali town located in the Middle Shabelle region on Thursday night, according to a military source.

Gen. Mohamed Ahmed Taredishe, the commander of the 27th battalion of SNA has confirmed that four soldiers lost their lives in the attack by Al-Shabaab, saying the area is now under their full control.

A statement aired by Radio Andalus, al-Shabab's mouthpiece in Somalia, said the militant group had captured the village in a heavy fighting, kiiling seven government soldiers.
 
There is no independent confirmation on both sides’ claims as their casualty figures often differ.

GAROWE ONLINE