MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Al-Shabaab militants briefly seized control of Bal’ad, a town located 30 kilometers north of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, following heavy clashes on Thursday morning, Universal TV reported.
Fierce fighting broke out between the militants and Somali security forces, who were supported by African Union peacekeepers. Residents reported hearing intense gunfire and explosions as the battle unfolded.
A video captured by a local resident showed armed militants marching through the streets of the agricultural town, which sits at the gateway to Somalia’s capital and the seat of its federal government.
Casualties from the fighting have not been immediately known.
Another video later emerged showing Burundi’s African Union peacekeepers with armored military vehicles accompanied by Somali security forces, entering Bal’ad after the militants withdrew.
Neither Al-Shabaab nor the Somali government have commented on the the fighting, which comes amid a large-scale counter-offensive recently launched by the militant group. Al-Shabaab has in recent days regained territory in Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions, areas previously recovered by Somalia’s army and allied clan militias.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
