Al-Shabaab Releases Video Claiming Capture of Strategic U.S.-trained Danab Base

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Shabaab militants have released footage purportedly of Wargaadhi town within Middle Shabelle, where they ran over a military base manned by the Danab Special Forces, a contingent of the Somali National Army (SNA) which is trained by the US Africa Command.

The Danab Special Forces play a critical role in the fight against the group, which is dominant in central and southern regions. The Special Forces are trained and equipped by Americans, and in most cases, they are engaged in sophisticated operations.

According to the narration in the new video, the militants seized the strategic base in late April. The militants insisted that they will still run over the bases of the special forces while castigating Americans for training the soldiers.

"You can train them like the 400,000-strong Afghan army, but you can’t teach them to defend what they don’t truly believe in. Ownership of land and loyalty to the nation are not things you can install like software," a spokesperson said.

"The so-called Somali National Army SNAForce is nothing more than a tribal militia wearing uniforms, collecting Western taxpayer money under the banner of counterterrorism. Just like the failed Afghan experiment."

The spokesperson further accused Americans of training and funding the Somali army while faulting the strategy used by the militants. Several weapons were seized by the group during the April battle, officials said.

Somalia has intensified the crackdown against Al-Shabaab militants in central and southern regions, with the US Africa Command and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) assisting the military.

But internal political divisions have significantly eroded gains made by the military in reclaiming strategic towns, with the militants managing to push further. The recent fall of Adan Yabaal is a classic example of the dwindling military strength.

GAROWE ONLINE