MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Al-Shabaab militants launched a coordinated attack on Somali army bases in Sabiid village near the town of Afgoye, approximately 30 kilometers southwest of the capital, Mogadishu.
The Islamist group, in a statement, claimed to have overrun the military installations and seized control of the town, releasing images purportedly showing captured bases and the strategic Sabiid bridge under their command.
The terror group ambushed a reinforcement convoy in the N0.50 area, killing senior military officer Mohamed Nur Jarere, who was leading the troops en route to Sabiid. Another reinforcement unit advancing toward the village was targeted along the Mogadishu-Afgooye road.
Social media footage depicted military helicopters targeting suspected Al-Shabaab positions in agricultural areas surrounding Afgoye town, with government forces visibly operating under air support.
Despite the militants’ claims, Somalia’s government asserted that its troops successfully repelled the attack. Authorities also asserted that a subsequent overnight military operation in the Sumadale area of the Middle Shabelle region resulted in the deaths of several insurgents.
The attack underscores Al-Shabaab’s persistent threat to Somalia’s fragile security apparatus. The group has been steadily advancing toward Mogadishu, raising alarms among political analysts who warn of a potential fall of the capital if urgent measures are not taken.
Observers have called on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to resolve his ongoing disputes with regional states and rally broader political support, including from opposition groups, to counter the militant offensive that now poses an existential threat to his administration.
The escalating violence highlights the precarious security situation in Somalia, as Al-Shabaab continues to exploit political divisions and logistical weaknesses within the government’s counterinsurgency efforts. Without a unified front, the risk of further territorial losses and destabilization looms large, casting a shadow over the nation’s fragile path to stability.
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