Twin Al-Shabaab explosions hit military base in Somalia

BARDERE, Somalia - Twin Al-Shabaab explosives hit a Somali National Army [SNA] military base on Wednesday, witnesses said, just as the forces within Jubaland prepare for the second phase of operations against the Al-Qaeda-linked group within the state.

The two successive explosions were heard in Bardhere in the Gedo region and were subsequently followed by heavy gunfight involving members of the Somali National Army [SNA] and foreign troops at the site, leading to casualties according to reports.

The explosives targeted an army recruiting center for SNA which is located near Ethiopian National Defence Forces [ENDF] military base, residents said, adding that the militants executed the plan in a similar manner. The first explosion targeted the Center, and as the people gathered at the scene a second explosion went off in a few minutes, residents said.

Al-Shabaab militants have already claimed responsibility for the latest attack, with the group confirming that two suicide bombings targeted SNA trainees in Bardhere. Ethiopian soldiers in African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] who are supporting local forces, are stationed in the town as well.

Adam Aw Hirsi, the State Minister for Environment and Climate Change, confirmed that two VBIED attacks targeted a joint SNA-ENDF base at ADC in Bardhera while condemning the militants, who have increased activities in the Horn of Africa nation.

"Our soldiers thwarted the first VBIED but unfortunately the second one hit," said the minister, who hails from Jubaland state. "Al Shabaab and who financed them to undertake these specific attacks will not be able to intimidate us. Rest assured," he added.

"We have lost five gallant young men including the two heroes who thwarted the first VBIED with their own lives. There are a number of injuries, some of them serious," added Hirsi, a close ally of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. "We will not be distracted from uprooting this disgusting menace."

This is the second time the militants are targeting a base near an Ethiopian military base in Somalia, with the last foiled attack taking place in Dolow, not far away from Bardhere. The militants killed over 54 soldiers attached to the Uganda People's Defense Forces [UPDF] a few weeks ago at Bulo Marer in Lower Shabelle.

Al-Shabaab militants are facing pressure from local and foreign troops who have launched systematic operations against them. Targeting bases is not a new phenomenon for the militants especially in Jubaland given that a few years ago, they attacked Kenya Defence Forces [KDF] bases in El-Adde and Kulbiyow, killing hundreds of troops.

GAROWE ONLINE