Somalia army repulses Al-Shabaab raid on base

Somali soldiers, part of an elite combat unit called Danab, preparing for live fire drills at a military base in Baledogle, Somalia, earlier this month. [New York Time photo]

MOGADISHU - The Somali National Army [SNA] on Wednesday repulsed an Al-Shabaab attack at a military base North of Mogadishu, state media confirmed, in what comes amid ongoing military operations in the country.

State media said the attack was repulsed in Budbud village within the fragile Galgaduud in central Somalia, where the militants have been trying to expand their territory following sustained military attacks. The military has been trying to gain more access to central regions in the ongoing operations.

The Al-Shabaab militants suffered heavy casualties during the fierce gunfight with the military teams, senior SNA officers told the state media. Until now, the exact number of the militants who were killed by the military is yet to be established but some unconfirmed reports say dozens of people were killed.

"The National Armed Forces and locals repulsed an attempted attack by Al-Shabaab terrorists on an army base near Budbud village in Galgadud region, on Wednesday. Terrorists suffered heavy casualties, SNA officials told State Media," the government media reported later on Wednesday.

Eyewitnesses termed the attack as "complex" with the militants targeting a military base situated in the region. Budbud is one of several villages captured by government forces within the last few days as they move deep into Galmudug state ahead of the planned second phase of operations against the militants.

Al-Shabab claims “overrunning” the camp, killing soldiers and seizing vehicles, a claim that is yet to be independently verified. The militants often thrive on propaganda whenever they are on the receiving end and in most recent battles, the national army with the help of international partners has managed to tame them.

The US Africa Command, African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and local militia have been instrumental in eliminating Al-Shabaab militants across the country.

The Al-Shabaab extortionists have been causing havoc in the country for the last 16 years but there is a deliberate effort to thwart them from expanding territories.

GAROWE ONLINE