Somalia has announced that its army, along with allied clan militias, successfully repelled coordinated attacks by Al-Shabaab militants on villages in the country’s south. The clashes resulted in the deaths of more than 130 Al-Shabaab fighters.
The Al-Qaeda-linked group launched multiple assaults on four villages in the Middle Shabelle region, using explosive-laden vehicles in an attempt to capture the areas. While the militants briefly took control of two villages, they were quickly driven out in heavy combat. Local residents and a defence ministry spokesperson confirmed the reports of intense fighting.
Somalia’s Ministry of Information praised the national army and local militias for their success in the operation, while also reporting casualties on both sides, including seven soldiers and clan fighters.
Al-Shabaab has been waging a brutal insurgency in southern and central Somalia since 2007, aiming to overthrow the government and impose its strict wrongful interpretation of Islamic law.
