Somali forces, local fighters repel Al-Shabaab assault in central region: army

MOQOKORI, Somalia - The Somali National Army (SNA), with the help of local fighters, blocked the Al-shabaab militants from making advances in central regions, leading to an altercation with lasted for several hours, Saturday, amid the ongoing crackdown against the group.

Multiple security sources said heavy fighting took place within Gumare village, southeast of Moqokori town, on Saturday, between government forces supported by Ma’awisley fighters on one side and al-Shabaab militants.

Major Salim Omar Ahmed, the commander of the 27th battalion, said at least 15 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed, with one pickup destroyed. The al-Shabaab fighters were unable to proceed to Moqokori, their desired destination.

The message was corroborated by local sources who said the militants were trying to advance to Moqokori town but suffered massive losses, leading to an instant retreat. They have been pushed back to Cel Qoxle village, which they seized several days ago.

Al-Shabaab on their side claimed killing 15 government soldiers and injuring 25 others during today’s fighting, a claim that has not been independently verified. The militants are fond of exaggerating their numbers, a strategy used to mislead the masses.

A few months ago, Al-Shabaab claimed to have attacked government forces near Cel Qoxle village in Hiran region, killing 33 soldiers. The Somali government, on the other hand, said 13 militants were killed in an operation participated in by international partners after the national Intelligence agency learned militants in Mabaax were planning to attack Cel Qoxle.

The Al-Shabaab fighters are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia, but their attempts have repeatedly faced sharp reactions from security forces, mostly those from the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, on the other hand, says the government could finally secure the country through military operations, dialogue, and destruction of financial sources used by the militants to purchase weapons and pay fighters.

GAROWE ONLINE