MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali National Army (SNA) forces have repelled a pre-dawn attack on their bases by Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group, in Eldher town, Galgaduud region.
The militants launched a multi-front assault using suicide bombers to breach defensive lines, followed by a wave of heavily armed fighters.
Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had killed 61 Somali soldiers and wounded 72 others. The group also released photos purporting to show its fighters inside the town.
Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim dismissed the militants’ claims and said government forces had killed 50 Al-Shabab fighters and captured several others alive.
Moalim confirmed that two senior militant commanders — Sabir and Dadullah — who were leading the assault, were among those killed in the fighting.
“The Somali forces remain in full control and are continuing pursuit operations against fleeing militants,” the minister said.
He also confirmed that U.S. drone strikes targeted the militants during the raid, weakening their assault capabilities and aiding Somali forces on the ground.
A video circulating on social media shows SNA troops firing an RPG at a vehicle laden with explosives, destroying it before it could reach its target.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, six Somali soldiers were killed and 14 others wounded during the hours-long battle.
Despite air and ground operations, the militant group continues to carry out deadly attacks on army bases in south and central Somalia.
For the last three months, the group seized several towns following pre-dawn attacks that began with suicide explosions, followed by gun battles.
Al-Shabab still holds large swaths of rural territory, including the Middle Jubba region, where its top leaders have been based since being driven out of Mogadishu in 2011.
Reported by Abdirisak Mohamud Turyare from Mogadishu, Somalia.
