Several Somali soldiers were killed on Tuesday (March 7) in an attack on a military base claimed by Al-Shabaab in a town recaptured from radical Islamists in January, about 480 kilometers south of the capital Mogadishu, soldiers told AFP. military sources.
“
Terrorists attacked the military base early this morning (Tuesday) in Janay Abdale
” in the south of the country, Mohamed Rashed, military commander based in the city, told AFP by telephone.
“
They attempted to storm the base after using trucks loaded with explosives to launch the attack, but security forces repelled them.
We lost seven soldiers in the fighting
”.
Dead "as martyrs"
The authorities had announced in January the takeover of the city Janay Abdale, held by the Islamists shebab.
"
The fighting was very intense and the terrorists were in the hundreds when they attacked with vehicles loaded with explosives, but we had the upper hand and they lost many of their fighters,"
said Captain Sugow Abdi. who was sent to the scene of the attack, continuing that fifteen soldiers had been injured and that several had died "
as martyrs
", without giving further details.
The attack was claimed by Shebab, a group affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
The Shebab have been fighting the federal government supported by the international community since 2007.
Driven out of the main cities of the country in 2011-2012, they remain firmly established in vast rural areas.
Read alsoSomali President Hassan Sheikh: “My Somalia is at total war against Al Shabab”
President Hassan Cheikh Mohamoud, who returned to power in May 2022, promised them "
total war
" and recently called their members "
bedbugs
".
In September, he sent the army - including special forces - to support local militias, known as "
macawisley
", which revolted against Shebab.
This offensive, supported by the African Union force in Somalia (Atmis) and American airstrikes, made it possible to reconquer vast territories of two states in the center of the country, Hirshabelle and Galmudug.
But the Shebab continue to carry out bloody attacks in retaliation, demonstrating their ability to strike at the heart of Somali cities and military installations.
On January 20, seven soldiers were killed following an attack on a military camp claimed by Shebab.
On October 29, 2022, two car bombs exploded in Mogadishu, killing 121 people and injuring 333, in the deadliest attack in five years in this Horn of Africa country, also affected by a historic drought.
