Somalia's Govt troops repulse Al-Shabaab attack in military base

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army [SNA] on Tuesday repulsed an Al-Shabaab attack in a military base within central Somalia, marking another significant step in the fight against the militants who control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia.

Al-Shabaab has been battling to topple the fragile UN-backed Somalia government, but their efforts are yet to succeed due to strong military resistance from both the Somalia National Army and the African Union Mission Forces [AMISOM].

Reports indicate that at least three militants were killed following the Al-Shabaab attack on a military camp west of Huddur town early on Tuesday. Government officials have also confirmed the incident which comes amid ongoing elections.

One source put the number of militants killed at seven. Troops said the attack was repulsed; 3 rifles were also recovered, adding that the search for those who escaped was still active within the vicinity of the town.

The attack at the base comes barely a week after the elite Danab Special Forces and the US Africa Command launched an airstrike in central Somalia, killing at least 60 Al-Shabaab militants. This was the first US airstrike in as many months.

US Africa Command halted airstrikes in Somalia following the unprecedented withdrawal of troops in 2021upon instructions by former President Donald Trump, who often cited "unnecessary" expenditure by the military in foreign nations.

But since then, there have been reports of plans to reinstate the military by the administration of President Joe Biden. Currently, most US elite troops are stationed in Kenya where they assist those in Somalia whenever they want to conduct operations against Al-Shabaab.

GAROWE ONLINE