The Islamist group Al-Shabaab launched a major dawn raid on a central Somali government-controlled town and military hub on Wednesday, army officials said.
The east African nation has long struggled with the violent Islamist insurgency, although the Al-Qaeda-linked group had been forced onto the defensive in 2022 and 2023 by Somali forces backed by Africa Union-led peacekeepers.
However, recent attacks have provoked fears of the organization’s resurgence, with the militants targeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy in capital Mogadishu in March.
Reports indicated fighting began at around 5:30 am (0230 GMT) outside Adan Yabaal, a major military and logistical hub for the Somali forces, roughly 220 kilometers (140 miles) north of Mogadishu.
The district has been used as a base by military commanders against Al-Shabaab in the Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan regions, sources said.
“The terrorist militants launched a desperate attack on the Somali army positions in the Adan Yabaal district this morning,” Somali captain Mohamed Ali told AFP from a nearby town.
“There was heavy fighting still going on in some parts of the town,” he said.
The assault began with bombs loaded on trucks, he said, before the militants fought their way into the town’s center.
“They are now being contained and the army is getting reinforcements from nearby positions to defend the town from the enemy,” he added.
Al-Shabaab claimed their fighters had overrun the Somali army and taken full control of the town.
AFP was unable to independently verify either the government or Al-Shabaab’s claims.
“The Somali government forces and their backing local community militias took positions in a small village outside Adan-Yabaal and Al-Shabab militants are now in full control of the district,” said Hussein Nur, a resident in nearby Moqokori town.
He added his aunt had told him she had seen fighters patrolling the streets.
Another local resident, Abdukadir Hassan, said several wounded soldiers had been brought to Moqokori following the clash.
“The Somali army pulled out from Adan Yabaal. Some of their wounded were brought to Moqokori this afternoon,” he said by telephone.
Somali government forces took control of Adan Yabaal from Al-Shabaab in December 2022 during the major offensive backed by AU forces.
The president visited the town last month, with state media reporting he had met with military commanders to review the ongoing military offensive against Al-Shabaab.
