The armed group claims control of Wargaadhi town and its military base, but the Somali army denies the claim.
Al-Shabab fighters have engaged Somali troops and allied forces in a battle for control of a key army base in southern Somalia, as reported by the government and a military official.
If the base in Wargaadhi town in the Middle Shabelle region, where soldiers, special forces, and clan fighters are stationed, is captured, it would allow the al Qaeda-linked group to cut off a vital road between the capital, Mogadishu, located 200km (124 miles) southwest, and the central Galmudug State. This comes as al-Shabab seeks to expand recent territorial gains in the region.
Having been in conflict with the Somali government for over 16 years, Al-Shabab often targets government officials and military personnel. The group claimed to have taken over the base and Wargaadhi town, a claim denied by the government.
The Ministry of Information reported that government forces had killed over 40 individuals who tried to attack the base on Thursday morning.
However, army officer Hussein Ali revealed to Reuters that after intense fighting, the armed group had successfully captured Wargaadhi town. He stated, “Our forces lost 12 men, mostly [clan fighters]. Around 20 al-Shabab fighters were also killed. But ultimately, al-Shabab received more reinforcements and managed to take control of the town.”
Ali also mentioned the challenges faced by Somalia’s military in sending reinforcements, as they would need to pass through areas held by al-Shabab.
Two soldiers interviewed by Reuters said that government forces, supported by air strikes, had reclaimed a portion of the town by midmorning.
The claims made by both sides could not be independently verified.
Ongoing offensive
Recently, al-Shabab alleged that they had seized Adan Yabal, a town and logistical center for government forces located approximately 220km (130 miles) north of Mogadishu.
However, Captain Hussein Olow from Adan Yabal rejected this claim, stating that government troops had pushed back the group.
These attacks are part of a larger offensive initiated by al-Shabab last month. Although Somali forces have recaptured the villages briefly held by the group within 50km (30 miles) of Mogadishu, al-Shabab continues to advance in rural areas amidst uncertainties regarding international security support for Somalia.
The AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, a new African Union peacekeeping mission that replaced a larger force in February, faces funding uncertainties, with the United States opposing the transition to a United Nations financing model.
