Over 30 Al-Shabaab Fighters Killed as Somali Army Repels Baydhabo Attack

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: More than 30 Al-Shabaab fighters have been killed after Somali government forces repelled an early-morning attack on the outskirts of Baydhabo.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence, the militants, including fighters linked to senior Al-Shabaab commander Abdiasis Laftagareen, launched the attack at around 5 a.m. near Baydhabo, the interim administrative capital of South West State.

Somali National Army forces responded to the assault and prevented the attackers from disrupting security in the city, the ministry said in a statement.

It said more than 30 militants were killed during the fighting, while several others were wounded. Government forces also recovered weapons and military equipment from the attackers, according to the statement.

The ministry did not provide details on government casualties and the claims could not immediately be independently verified.

Security forces in South West State have intensified operations against Al-Shabaab, which has sought to maintain pressure around major population centres while government forces expand security operations in areas under federal and regional control.

The Defence Ministry said Somali forces would continue operations to secure Baydhabo and pursue militants who had withdrawn towards areas outside the city.

It called on residents to cooperate with security forces and provide information on militant movements.

Baydhabo remains strategically important to Somalia’s security and political landscape as the main administrative centre of South West State and a key hub linking parts of southern Somalia.

The government has been seeking to strengthen security around major urban centres while building the capacity of Somali forces to take greater responsibility for operations against Al-Shabaab.