Somalia military repulses Al-Shabaab's morning raid in Galmudug State

FILE - Somali soldiers patrol in convoy near Sanguuni military base about 450 km south of Mogadishu, Somalia, June 13, 2018.

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army [SNA] has repulsed Al-Shabaab's dawn attack in central Somalia, state media reported, in the latest attack within the Horn of Africa nation, amid an ongoing crackdown targeting the militants, which has been termed "successful" by military generals.

According to the statement by the state media, the attack occurred in the Oswein area, but the military had received prior intelligence from locals, thus effectively repulsing a would-be deadly attack. The Somali soldiers destroyed explosives in the process, authorities said.

"SNA and local forces successfully repelled an Al-Shabaab attack in the recently liberated Oswein area. Acting on prior intelligence, the SNA destroyed vehicles carrying explosives. Heavy fighting continues in the area. Stay tuned for more information," state media reported.

Eyewitnesses reported heavy fighting after the militants attacked, with the Somali National Army responding through artilleries. Early reports suggest that the militants have used more than one suicide car bomb, followed by an infantry attack, witnesses said.

In a statement, the Al-Shabaab militants claimed to have overrun the camp hosting the Somali National Army, but the claims have since been dismissed by the military. The militants may have suffered heavy losses but the army is yet to issue a comprehensive statement regarding the outcome.

On Tuesday, government troops captured Cawsweyne region but it’s believed the troops were consolidating their camp before moving on toward their intended target, Galhareri. The two areas have been earmarked for serious military operations.

It would appear from this attack that when the militants vacated Cawsweyne on Tuesday they stayed in the vicinities around it for this counterattack, Voice of America reports. The government of Somalia is activating troops ahead of a massive crackdown against the militants.

The army is seriously combing central regions before starting the third phase of operations against Al-Shabaab in Jubaland and Southwest states. It is projected that by December 2024, Al-Shabaab militants will have liberated the remaining towns, thus instilling stability in the country.

GAROWE ONLINE