Al-Shabaab Fighters Killed in Failed Assault on Somali Army Base

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somali government forces repelled a major Al-Shabaab assault in the early hours of Thursday in Wargaadhi, a strategic military base in the Middle Shabelle region, dealing a significant blow to the Islamist militant group.

The dawn attack was swiftly countered by federal troops, who launched a decisive counteroffensive that left the bodies of Al-Shabaab fighters scattered across the area, according to government officials.

Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adaala, the Deputy Minister of Information, confirmed the successful operation.

“The bodies of the al-Shabaab militants are scattered in Wargaadhi. God willing, there will be no room for Al-Shabaab in Somalia, their plans are destined to fail,” he said.

Wargaadhi serves as a critical forward operating base for government forces in central Somalia.

Its defense comes just days after the fall of nearby Adan Yabaal to militants on April 18, underscoring the high stakes of the current military campaign.

The Somali government has intensified operations against the Al-Qaeda-linked group in recent months, with support from local militias and international partners, in an effort to reclaim rural strongholds and restore stability.

“The strong response in Wargaadhi sends a clear message, Somalia’s security forces remain vigilant and ready to defend the nation from any threat,” a senior security official said.

Authorities say the operation is part of a broader national strategy to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s remaining networks and prevent further territorial advances.

Casualty figures and additional details are expected to be released as military assessments continue.

Al-Shabaab has waged a deadly insurgency in Somalia for more than a decade, targeting government installations, civilians, and international peacekeepers in its bid to impose a strict version of Islamic law.