Fierce Clashes in Somalia: Dozens Dead as Army Repels Al Shabaab Assault on Bases

In Summary

• Dozens of fighters were killed during clashes in southern Somalia as al Shabaab militants attempted to overrun three army bases.
• Government forces repelled the attacks, detonated four car bombs, and claimed to have killed over 80 al Shabaab fighters, although casualty numbers often vary between government and al Shabaab reports.
• The area, near the Kenyan border and a traditional stronghold of al Shabaab, was captured by government forces three months ago.

Mogadishu, Somalia- On Monday, fierce clashes in southern Somalia resulted in the deaths of dozens of fighters as al Shabaab militants attempted to overrun three army bases.

According to officials and the insurgent group, the government forces successfully repelled the attacks and safely detonated four car bombs around 80 km southwest of Kismayo in Jubbaland state.

Jubbaland officials posted videos on social media showing at least 35 bodies in military fatigues near Buulo-Xaaji village.

The government, via the state-owned Somalia National News Agency (SONNA), thanked federal and Jubbaland forces for killing over 80 al Shabaab fighters and seizing their weapons.

Government and al Shabaab often report differing casualty figures. Farah Hussein, a military official, noted that five soldiers were killed and that government forces had deserted the bases, encircled the attackers, and killed dozens of them. Hussein personally counted 30 dead al Shabaab fighters.

Conversely, al Shabaab claimed on an affiliated radio station that they had stormed the bases and killed numerous soldiers.

The region near the Kenyan border, traditionally an al Shabaab stronghold, was captured by government forces three months prior. Al Shabaab, linked to al Qaeda, has been fighting to impose strict Islamic law in Somalia since 2007.