A top Al-Shabab commander was killed in fierce fighting between Somali Army and Al-Shabab fighters in Moqokori town, a military official confirmed Monday.
Heavily armed Al-Shabab fighters on Friday evening stormed a camp occupied by Somali National Army in Moqokori town.
Hussein Madey Alias Mama was killed alongside five of his comrades including Ahmed Ali Fidow, Muhyiddin Mohamed Kaysane and Haji Daud Bali.
Gen. Mohamed Moalim Koronto, the commander of 27th Brigade of Somali National Army said Al-Shabab fighters had attacked the camp shortly before dusk of Friday, prompting hours of fighting.
“Somali Army killed Hussein Madey, a top commander believed to have been leading the fighters who attacked SNA base in Moqokori town,” the SNA commander said.
Koronto noted that the military neutralized 26 Al-Shabab fighters among them six high profile commanders in the rank of Al-Shabab.
“In a total of those killed in the attack are 26 Al-Shabab fighters among them the commanders,” Koronto told reporters.
He said Mama and five other commanders who were leading the fighters died in the battlefield.
The commanders said among the slain Al-Shabab commanders were two trained in Syria.
Muhyiddin Mohamed Kaysane and Haji Daud Bali were trained in Syria, according to SNA.
He said an unconfirmed number of Al-Shabaab fighters fled the battlefield with injuries.
Despite Al-Shabab claims, Koronto did not say the casualties on SNA.
On their side Al-Shabab claimed to have killed over 70 Somali soldiers in the Moqokori attack.
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