Heavy fighting enters sixth day in Basra near Somalia’s capital

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Heavy fighting erupted Sunday in the Basra area of Middle Shabelle region, about 30 to 35 kilometres from Mogadishu, between Somali government forces and Al-Shabaab militants.

The clashes entered their sixth consecutive day, with both sides using heavy weapons, residents said. Sustained gunfire and explosions were heard in areas around the battlefield as fighting continued.

The number of casualties remained unclear, with access to the area restricted and the fighting still ongoing. The situation of civilians living near the conflict zone was also a concern.

Somali government and local forces have stepped up operations against Al-Shabaab in recent weeks, particularly in Middle and Lower Shabelle. The operations are aimed at driving the militants from areas where they maintain a presence and disrupting their ability to launch attacks.

The operations have also involved Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and Danab special forces, which have carried out planned and intelligence-led missions in central and southern Somalia. The government has reported militant deaths in recent operations in Lower Shabelle, Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle and Bay regions.

The prolonged fighting in Basra highlights the security challenges facing Somali forces as they seek to regain territory held by Al-Shabaab in parts of the country. The duration of the clashes and the final casualty toll remained unclear.

GAROWE ONLINE