Al-Shabaab claims US troops abandoned base in Somalia after attack

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The US Africa Command troops and the Special Forces from Danab unit have allegedly abandoned the Janay Abdalla military outpost in southern Somalia, Al-Shabaab claimed in the latest statement, but it could not provide tangible evidence to support their assertions.

In s statement published through proxy media outlets, the Al-Qaida linked group claimed that all the US troops and those from Somali National Army [SNA] left the base on Wednesday, exactly two days after a car bomb attack, which dismantled the facility that is located around 60 KM West of Kismayo.

Al-Shabaab radio also echoed the new development, something if confirmed could be a huge blow to the fight against terror at the Horn of Africa nation, which has been struggling to form a stable government in the last thirty years. The country has been bedeviled in Al-Shabaab and inter-clan conflict for the past couple of years.

According to the Al-Qaida linked group, the base has since been retaken by its fighters after the shock withdrawal of the troops. But no concrete evidence for instance videos and photos were posted, and until now, the US army and the SNA team are yet to issue a statement.

"We can authoritatively confirm that the US has withdrawn troops from Janay Abdalla. This is a huge win for us given that the Somali army has also left the base. We shall restore order in the region as we look forward to work with like-minded people," the statement read.

The region is found in the troubled Lower Jubba region which is fairly controlled by the militants, who have been pushing to overthrow the weak UN-backed Somalia government since 2006. But occasionally, the region has been subjected to airstrikes and ground combats as the SNA troops and their allied troops seek to restore order.

The Al-Shabaab militants had on Monday claimed that four US servicemen died along with 16 Danab troops during the race besides massive destruction of tankers and other weapons. Further, it added, over 12 were wounded in the early morning raid at the outpost, which was helpful in the training of Danab.

But in a statement, the US confirmed that only one of her servicemen were injured during the attack. Another statement by the Somalia government confirmed that two SNA officers were killed and three others critically wounded during the attack, which came at the time the country is witnessing mass operation against the militants.

And on Tuesday, the SNA troops confirmed the closure on roads near the outpost, adding that the move would enable the troops to perform operations against the militants, who were said to be still hiding in the nearby bushes after the attack.

"This is to inform all members of the public that roads within 5 KM from Janay Abdalle will not be open to all of them. This will allow our team to conduct an operation against the Al-Shabaab militants following the Monday morning attack against our team," read the statement.

The US insisted that despite the setbacks, it will continue to work closely with the SNA troops with an aim to completely degrade the Al-Shabaab militants, who have been wreaking havoc in Somalia, a country which is also struggling to rebuild an army.

"The U.S. regularly conducts advise and assist missions with Somali partner forces. The collective efforts of the U.S. and Somalia place pressure on al-Shabaab, limiting their ability to extend their reach and movement," said Col. Chris Karns.

"Al-Shabaab remains a dangerous enemy. Continued pressure is being placed on this Al Qaeda-affiliated threat to limit its ability to expand and export violence, terrorism, and crime more broadly," he added in a statement on Monday.

GAROWE ONLINE