Al-Shabaab explosion kills soldiers in Somalia as KDF repulses another attack

NAIROBI, Kenya - At least seven Somali National Army [SNA] troops were killed on Monday when their vehicle ran over an Improvised Explosive Device [IED], officials said, in yet another attack against security forces.

The attack at near Balligodle army base left also a vehicle used by the elite Danab forces badly dismembered, but it remains unclear where the soldiers were headed to during the Monday attack.

Few other troops in the ill-fated vehicle suffered severe injuries, officials said, adding that "security has been since beefed up". Lower Shebelle region is prone to Al-Shabaab attacks because the group controls large swathes in the area.

The attack, which comes amid an ongoing crackdown against the militants in Lower Shebelle, was staged near KM. 60 in the outskirts of Marka town, officials added. Elite forces from SNA have been conducting operations in the region.

But Monday's explosion was the biggest targeting government soldiers, who recently managed to liberate the strategic town of Janaale, killing dozens of militants in the process. Gen Abdihamid Dirir has been conducting operations in the region.

Through their proxy media, Al-Shabaab took responsibility for the explosion, saying that "our Mujahedeen killed seven soldiers and wounded many. We shall continue to liberate our people from enemies".

Lower Shebelle region has been the battlefield for unending clashes between the militants and government troops in recent months. Despite the forces' success, at least 25 SNA soldiers were killed by the Al-Qaida linked group in El-Salini military base in February.

Explosions targeting SNA and AMISOM troops are regular in central and southern Somalia, where the group controls various villages. However, increased US airstrikes have forced dozens of them to flee from remote villages for their safety, authorities said.

Several miles away in Lower Jubba, the militants engaged a contingent of Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] in a fierce gunfight on Monday within the vicinity of Hosingow town, reports indicate.

But according to reports, at least 10 militants were killed with dozens injured during the attempted raid at a KDF base within Lower Jubba. The fighting lasted for several hours near the Kenya-Somalia border, witnesses said.

This was the first time KDF troops were involved in ground combat against the militants in Somalia. Last week, a damning report indicated that the militants were benefiting from intelligence given by Somalia's spy agency NISA in trailing KDF troops.

An insider privy to the intricate information about the operation said that NISA was working with Al-Shabaab militants against KDF, even through financial support.

However, Somalia dismissed the claims as "baseless and provocative" in a statement issued on Friday by the Ministry of Information and Culture. KDF yet to react to Somalia's assertions.

At least 3,000 KDF troops are stationed in Jubaland, occupying Sector II and VI of AMISOM zones. The troops have been at loggerheads with FGS, which accuses Kenya of "illegally" supporting Ahmed Madobe's administration.

Since suffering massive casualties in El-Adde and Kulbiyow in 2016 and 2017 respectfully, KDF has since managed to drive the militants further from areas occupied by civilians, effectively creating a buffer zone in Jubaland.

Even though the Al-Shabaab militants are significantly degraded, they have managed to wage small to large scale sporadic attacks within Somalia, mainly targeting security forces and foreigners.

The group is also financially impaired, triggering mass exodus and defections, a move that has fairly weakened it. The US has conducted a record 39 airstrikes this year in Somalia, killing over 60 militants in the process, data obtained from AFRICOM shows.

GAROWE ONLINE