Al-Shabaab militants attack military base in Somalia
A security source in Mogadishu revealed that the attack began with three suicide bombings.
The al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group Al-Shabaab on Wednesday attacked an army base in northern Mudug province.
The strike targeted an army camp in the recently liberated village of Caad, leading to heavy gunfire between government forces and the extremist group.
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A military official from the central state of Galmudug, speaking on condition of anonymity due to media restrictions, reported that they successfully repelled the attack, but both sides suffered multiple casualties. The official refrained from providing specific numbers for the soldiers killed in action.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack and asserted that they had overrun five military bases in and around the Caad district, managing to seize military vehicles.
A security source in Mogadishu revealed that the attack began with three suicide bombings, followed by a face-to-face assault involving more than 2,000 Al-Shabaab fighters.
"The attack took place in Caad village, and both sides incurred heavy casualties due to the intensity of the heavy weapons used by both sides," the security source stated.
Major Abdille Sahal, speaking from the battleground, confirmed the attack but provided limited details.
"Heavy fighting is still ongoing. The enemy attacked us, and we are defending our positions. I cannot say much now," he conveyed before the line was dropped amid audible gunshots and explosions.
In response to the assault, the government released a statement online, affirming that its forces and allied clan militias successfully defended their positions against the terrorist attack
Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab claimed victory, boasting that they had attacked bases housing 1,350 army soldiers and killed over 191 soldiers.
Reports later surfaced that the terrorists faced bombardment by planes, compelling them to retreat into the thickets from where they had emerged.
The Somalia government has intensified its efforts against Al-Shabaab, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declaring a total war on the terrorist group following his re-election last year.
Despite the government's successes in capturing significant territories, Al-Shabaab continues to carry out guerrilla-style hit-and-run attacks on government forces.
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