Al-Shabaab ambush leaves dozens of local fighters dead in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Dozens of local fighters were reportedly killed in the Mudug region following an ambush by Al-Shabaab militants, multiple sources confirmed, in what could be a major setback in the ongoing crackdown against the group which controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia.

According to sources, the militants ambushed a local fighter between Wisil and Shabeelow, triggering a fierce gunfight between the two rival groups. Local militia have been integral in the fight against Al-Shabaab, giving the Somali National Army [SNA] much-needed backup.

The fighting started after senior military and civilian officials who have been at the frontline went to a hill to get a better phone signal, only to be ambushed by al-Shabaab fighters who have been monitoring their movements in recent days, witnesses said.

According to sources who spoke to Voice of America, as many as 30 local fighters have died in the ensuing fighting. Among the dead is a senior military officer, and civilian officials who traveled from Galkayo town to stay with the troops, witnesses added.

Al-Shabaab militants claimed killing 58 people in the fighting and wounded over 70, but these casualty figures have not been independently verified. The group usually exaggerates numbers as part of their propaganda to scare civilians and security forces fighting to stabilize Somalia.

The tragedy, which has not been confirmed by security teams, comes moments after the government of Somalia said at least 1,650 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed and 550 others wounded in the ongoing operations within central Somalia. The data could not be confirmed independently.

Somalia recently requested for technical pause of withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops, citing logistical challenges. Last month, ATMIS was preparing to withdraw at least 3,000 soldiers from the country in compliance with the Somali Transition Plan.

Although there has been notable progress in the fight against Al-Shabaab, the soldiers have had setbacks in the process, including the most recent defeat in Cawsweyne. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been rallying the world to assist Somalia in defeating the militants once and for good.

GAROWE ONLINE