By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — Somalia’s army said on Monday it repelled a heavy attack by the militant group al-Shabaab on a military base in the Middle Shabelle region of southern Somalia, following hours of fighting that left casualties on both sides.
The Somali National Army (SNA) said al-Shabaab fighters launched a coordinated assault on government positions in the Jabad Godane area, using small arms and explosives, but were forced to retreat after clashes with government forces. The military said it has since regained full control of the area.
“Al-Shabaab suffered a heavy defeat and casualties,” the army said in a statement, adding that security forces have launched a large-scale operation to clear the surrounding areas and prevent the militants from regrouping or carrying out further attacks.
An army officer on the ground confirmed that government forces also suffered losses during the fighting.
“Some of our soldiers were martyred, but we successfully defended our positions and repelled the al-Shabaab attack,” Second Lieutenant Rabiic told Radio Shabelle by phone from Middle Shabelle.
Residents in nearby areas reported hearing heavy gunfire and explosions during the clashes, which caused temporary displacement as civilians fled the fighting. Local authorities said security operations remain ongoing, and movement in the area has been restricted as troops search for remaining militant cells.
Al-Shabaab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, regularly targets Somali security forces, government officials and military installations as part of its long-running insurgency aimed at overthrowing the internationally backed government and imposing its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
The group did not immediately comment on the latest fighting, a common occurrence following clashes with government forces.
The Middle Shabelle region has been a key battleground in Somalia’s counterinsurgency campaign due to its strategic location near the capital, Mogadishu, and its importance as a supply route for both government forces and militants.
Somalia’s government has intensified military operations against al-Shabaab in recent months, particularly in central and southern regions, working alongside local militias and supported by international partners. Officials say the renewed campaign is aimed at weakening the group’s operational capacity, restoring security, and protecting civilians.
Despite continued pressure, al-Shabaab remains capable of launching complex attacks, underscoring the ongoing security challenges facing the country more than three decades after the collapse of Somalia’s central government.
