BAYDHABO, Somalia (KAAB TV) – A devastating bomb attack by Al-Shabaab militants between Bardaale and Awdiinle in the Bay region has killed Major Mohamed Nur (Mad Dheere), the commander of the 60th Brigade, security sources confirmed.
At approximately 11:50 a.m. local time on Saturday, an explosion targeted a pickup truck carrying Major Mohamed Dheere, the commander of the 8th battalion of Sector 60 in Southwest.
The attack resulted in the death of Major Dheere and several soldiers, including a lieutenant, according to reports.
Major Mohamed Dheere and his team were traveling from Baidoa to Bardaale when the vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) at a location called Ideeda.
Following the explosion, militants ambushed reinforcement soldiers from Bardaale, causing additional casualties, security officials stated.
The death of Major Mohamed Nur (Mad Dheere) is considered a significant blow to the Southwest state forces, which are backed by Ethiopian forces.
Al-Shabaab has escalated its violence in various parts of southern Somalia as the African Union forces continue their drawdown, with another 4,000 troops expected to depart by the end of June 2024.