MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – Al-Shabaab militants launched a bold attack on Somali forces and local militia in the central Galgadud region on Monday, killing at least 25 soldiers and militiamen, according to local sources and officials.
The ambush took place in the village of Geriire, where the militants targeted soldiers and militia forces.
Colonel Ali Osman confirmed the incident: “The forces were sent for an operation, but the terrorists ambushed them,” he said.
Al-Shabaab’s spokesperson, Abdiasis Abu Muscab, claimed responsibility for the attack and stated that they had captured some soldiers.
“We killed 25 soldiers in the battle. We have also captured some of them alive,” he said.
Residents from the rural village of Cowsweyne reported that Al-Shabaab fighters brought dead bodies to their area late on Monday after the battle.
Officials in Mogadishu confirmed that Colonel Mohamed Duraan, commander of the 1st Battalion, 28th Brigade, of the 21st Division, was among the dead, and his body was taken by the terror group.
Cowsweyne, located about 290 kilometers from the Somali capital Mogadishu, has seen intense fighting.
The town witnessed a major offensive last year that forced the government forces to retreat after a deadly battle in August.
In a separate attack on Monday, Al-Shabaab ambushed soldiers near Mogadishu, killing several more, according to local residents.
The attack occurred in Basra village, around 30 kilometers outside of Mogadishu.
Commander Hassan Ahmed Shiishiile, a militia leader allied with the government, was reportedly killed in this ambush.
There has been no official response from the Ministry of Defense.
However, Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur confirmed on Sunday that operations were ongoing in the Galgadud region, but he did not provide further details.