Somalia: Dozens of Al-Shabaab militants killed in foiled attack

KISMAYO, Somalia - Jubaland regional forces backed by the Somali National Army (SNA) neutralized 80 Al-Shabaab militants in three separate attacks on Monday morning, information ministry reports while displaying bodies of the fighters who had attempted to overrun a military base.

The army, with the help of the Jubaland regional forces, managed to repulse Al-Shabaab in three frontlines which had been liberated from the group within West and South of Kismayo, the interim regional administrative capital of Jubaland.

Early on Monday Al-Shabaab militants attacked Harbole and the nearby Mido village west of Kismayo which were captured 12 days ago. Heavy clashes were reported in the village, with the army managing to overpower the militants.

The militants also attacked Bulo Haji town base, about 90km south of Kismayo. Officials say said troops have defeated the militants in all three battles. Some of the critically wounded fighters were arrested and awaiting prosecution by the military court.

Purported photos of dead al-Shabaab militants and weapons seized by the government forces are being published by social media accounts. The government announced the victory while condemning Al-Shabaab for 'cowardly' attacks.

"National Armed Forces and Jubbaland regional troops neutralized dozens of terrorists who attempted to attack forward operating bases near Bulo-Haji on Monday," read the statement by the state media on X formerly Twitter.

The Al-Shabaab militants on their side confirmed the three raids and have claimed “overrunning” the bases. The group is notorious for running propaganda whenever they suffer huge setbacks on various frontlines across the country.

Al-Shabaab is fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia, which has vowed to crush them by the end of this year. The government has also sealed loopholes in the Al-Shabaab source of finances by closing down several suspected ventures.

GAROWE ONLINE