Al-Shabaab militants storm military base near Somalian capital, resulting in casualties

Al-Shabab militants kill several people during a raid on military installation outside Mogadishu, Somalia

During a Saturday raid on a military installation outside the capital city of Somalia, al-Shabab militants claimed lives, according to witnesses and military officials. According to military commanders and witnesses, fighters from the organization invaded the Busley facility, which is 40 kilometers from Mogadishu, injuring several injured.

Security troops in Somalia were unprepared for the attack, which happened early on Saturday. The facility turned into a battlefield as the militants began a concerted onslaught. It was a crucial outpost for operations against areas controlled by al-Shabab.

According to Mohamed Adan, a military commander from the neighboring area of Afgoye, the militants started the attack by blowing up a car that was filled with explosives. He detailed the ferocity of the conflict. There were deaths on both sides during the frontal confrontation with security forces that came thereafter. According to Adan, there were other troops who were killed in the gunfight, including a commander.

The attacks were initially successful, but Somali soldiers quickly raised reinforcements, drove the militants back, and retook the region. Additionally, during the event, al-Shabab attempted to attack a military convoy, which led to the terrorist organization losing a sizable number of men.

Al-Shabab said that its forces had effectively seized the facility and killed the base commander in a statement claiming credit for the raid. Nevertheless, there is still no evidence to support these allegations, and the Somali government has not yet released a formal comment on the event.

The incident follows a similar incident in March that left many people dead when militants from al-Shabab attacked a hotel close to the presidential palace in Mogadishu. Notwithstanding continuous attempts by Somali security forces to counter extremism in the area with backing from outside, these attacks highlight the group’s enduring danger.

Having operated in Somalia for more than 16 years, al-Shabab is still waging a bloody insurgency against Mogadishu’s central administration. The gang remains powerful in rural regions even after being forced to flee the city by an African Union force in 2011. They often assault civilian, political, and security objectives.

Together with foreign partners and help from local clan militias, the Somali government began a significant attack against al-Shabab in Aug. 2022. Although there has been some progress in regaining land, current developments suggest that the terrorist organization continues to pose a serious threat to regional security and stability, including in Somalia. 

Source: AFP