MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Two Somali military commanders have been killed in an Al-Shabaab attack near Danane location, south of Mogadishu.
A roadside explosion has reportedly killed the Commander of 12th April Division General Omar Aden Dhabad “Omar Dhere” and his deputy General Abdi Ali Jamame.
According to sources, the attack also killed several bodyguards of the two top military officials.
Somali Ministry of Defense has not yet commented on the issue.
Al Shabaab in a statement posted on its affiliate media websites claimed the responsibility for the attack saying it killed top military officials in the explosion.
“The commander of the 12th battalion, Omar Dhere along with his force commander and eight others were killed in bomb blast on the outskirt of Jazeera locality,” the statement reads in part.
The group which lost the control of Mogadishu in 2011 has been carrying attacks against Somali forces and their allied African troops.
Despite losing many towns to Somali military-backed AMISOM troops, the group controls several towns in South and central Somalia.
Somali government in coordination with U.S and AU forces has intensified attacks against al Shabaab in Southern regions.
The U.S. has also increased airstrikes against the group’s fighters and their bases.
In a statement by the U.S. on Wednesday, Africa Command, U.S. said it killed four Shabaab fighters in Awdhegle town in Lower Shabelle region on 4 December.
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