Military disputes casualty figures in Bula Gadud attack

The military has dismissed reports that its troops suffered major casualty toll in the Bula Gadud military base attack Sunday by the militant group Al-Shabaab.

Chief of Defense Forces Ismail Sahardid said Monday Somali forces repulsed the attackers inflicting on them heavy losses with up to 20 militants being neutralized.

“At around 5:10 am they carried an attack on the camp through bomb explosion which was repulsed by by the military personnel from reaching its target. Heavy fighting took place. Casualties are there from both sides. Now the location is under the control of the Somali National Army.”

Almost 20 alshabab fighters perished in the fight and we are still pursuing them” said General Sahardid.

Al-Shabaab said Sunday it had killed 26 soldiers in the dawn raid which is reported to have lasted a couple of hours. The army chief added the soldiers managed to take control of the camp and the area which is located 30 kilometres outside the capital Kismayu.

The military camp is home both to 43rd battalion of the Somali National Defense and Jubbaland army.