MOGADISHU: Militants from the extremist group al Shabaab launched a coordinated attack on Wednesday targeting Adan Yabaal, a strategic town in central Somalia that the government has been using as a forward base in its military campaign against the group. Local residents reported hearing a powerful explosion followed by sustained gunfire early in the morning.
The assault comes amid growing concern in Somalia, as al Shabaab has recently made significant territorial gains, including a brief capture of villages located just 50 km (30 miles) from the capital, Mogadishu. Although Somali forces managed to retake those areas, the group's continued advances in rural regions have prompted authorities to bolster the military with police and prison personnel.
Adan Yabaal, located roughly 245 km north of Mogadishu, has played a key role in government raids against the militants. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is originally from the region, visited the town last month to meet with military leaders about reinforcing operations there.
Residents described the attack as intense and said al Shabaab fighters struck from multiple directions. "After morning prayers, we heard a massive blast and then gunfire. The fighting is still ongoing," said Fatuma Nur, a local resident.
The situation on the ground remains unclear, with conflicting claims emerging. Government officials said that their troops repelled the attack, while al Shabaab claimed in a statement that its fighters had seized control of the town and overrun multiple military posts.
National authorities have yet to comment officially. The incident comes at a time when Somalia's international security assistance is in flux. The African Union has launched a new, smaller peacekeeping mission this year, but its financial future is uncertain due to U.S. opposition to transitioning the mission to U.N. funding.
[Reuters]
