Al-Shabaab fighters storm Somalia military base
The assault comes after Al-Shabaab gunmen attacked a hotel near the presidential palace in Mogadishu on March 14, killing three people.
Al-Shabaab fighters stormed a military base outside Somalia's capital Mogadishu, on Saturday, with casualties reported, military officers and witnesses said.
The early-morning raid occurred in Busley, 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Mogadishu, where Somalia security forces have set up temporary bases for operations against Al-Shabaab-dominated villages in the region, according to security sources.
More To Read
- Somalia’s NCC meeting opens without Puntland, Jubbaland as reforms top agenda
- Taiwan says Somalia bans entry to its citizens amid Somaliland dispute
- AU mission in Somalia to increase troop size to 8,000 to counter Al-Shabaab
- AU urgently seeks $190 million to sustain Somalia peace mission in 2025
- Regional leaders order joint plan to eliminate Al-Shabaab, back stronger AUSSOM presence
- Somalia and AU call for sustainable support to AUSSOM peacekeeping mission
The assault comes after Al-Shabaab gunmen attacked a hotel near the presidential palace in Mogadishu on March 14, killing three people.
Mohamed Adan, a military officer in the nearby district of Afgoye, said heavy fighting had erupted after "terrorists" attacked the Busley base.
"They blew up a vehicle loaded with explosives in the early morning before the gunmen engaged in a face-to-face armed confrontation with security forces," Adan told AFP.
"The Somali army defended their position, and several soldiers, including a commander, were confirmed dead," he added.
"The desperate terrorists also ambushed a reinforcement military convoy along the road near Dhanaane, but they lost a dozen fighters" in the incident, Adan said, adding that Somali forces were now back in control of the area.
The Al-Qaeda affiliated group claimed in a statement that its fighters had overrun the Busley base and that among those killed was the base commander.
The claims could not be independently verified and the Somali government has made no official comment on the attack.
Top Stories Today
- 800,000 more Kenyans turn to Fuliza in 2024 as economic pressure bites
- State pays Sh70 million to wildlife conflict victims in Laikipia
- Counties, KPLC clash over fibre revenues and unpaid wayleave charges
- Kenya Power adds 134,630 rural users but sees first revenue dip since 2020
- Mandera leaders visit Banisa to de-escalate tension following killing of six family members
- State pours Sh2.8 billion into affordable housing research
- Interior CS Murkomen allays fears of increased Al-Shabaab attacks
- Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine to seek presidency, chides West over rights
- Financing peacebuilding likely to feature in UN's architecture review this year
- Ruku orders probe into NYS procurement process amid allegations of embezzlement of Sh2bn
- Were's murder case: Why LBDA director Ebel Ochieng is seeking magistrate's recusal
- Government leases four state-owned sugar mills to private firms for 30 years
- Bodyguard, driver were in contact with MP Charles Were’s killers- Police
- Politician Philip Aroko detained for seven days in probe into Were's murder
- Rights group seeks to join suit targeting police officers who conceal identity during operations
- Mwilu had no power to appoint bench in Gachagua impeachment case, court rules
- High Court bars police from investigating extra-judicial killings, abductions
- Were murder case: High Court orders Aroko to be produced on Monday
- Parastatals merger: 3,100 jobs at risk as Treasury plans retirement offers
- Ruto moves to end ‘hakuna dawa’ with Sh10bn boost to KEMSA
