At least six Al-Shabaab fighters have been killed and several others wounded after engaging gun battle with Somali Military in Bay region, an official confirmed Thursday.
Al-Shabab has stepped up its attacks against Somali National Army (SNA) in South and central Somalia since the beginning of the Holy Month.
Captain Mohamed Osman Hassan, SNA officer who spoke to Southwest State media said six Al-Shabab fighters were killed after they attacked Daynuunay military base.
“Somali Military forces killed and wounded several others in fighting with Al-Shabab early Thursday morning. The group (Al-Shabab) was defeated and now the base is under the control of Somali Military,” Hassan said.
Nuradin Yussuf Abukar, Southwest state Spokesperson who also spoke to the media said Al-Shabab stormed SNA camp in Daynuunay village which lies 30km away from Baidoa, the capital administrative of Southwest state.
The official pointed out that the military pulled out from their base in military tactics.
“Yes it is true that the forces vacated the base in military tactics after Al-Shabab stormed the empty base, our forces attacked them (Al-Shabab fighters) from different sides,” he said.
Abukar said the Somali forces killed several fighters and injured several others.
“Al-Shabab was defeated and fled away. A number of Al-Shabab fighters were killed and many others wounded but now we are assessing the casualties and will update you later,” he said.
He noted that Southwest state forces backed by Somali national army (SNA) will soon wage attack against Al-Shabab in the region.
“There will be operations against Al-Shabab fighters in the region. The offensives will be jointly conducted by Southwest state forces and Somali Military,” he affirmed.
Meanwhile, Al-Shabab in a statement posted on its affiliate media claimed to have seized large cache of weapons from Somali Military.
Somali leaders on Tuesday jointly agreed Somali Military to support Southwest state in the efforts to secure and reopen the main Supply Route linking Baidoa town to the Somali capital Mogadishu.
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