Al-Shabaab attacks Somali town near Kenyan border

The town is considered one of the safest areas in the region, and it is under Kenyan forces of AMISOM contingent and Jubaland soldiers, who jointly carry out fighting against Al-Shabaab.

News Keydmedia Online
1 February 2022

AFMADOW, Somalia - Heavy fighting between Jubaland forces and Al-Shabaab took place in the Afmadow district of the Lower Jubba region amid an electioneering period in Somalia.

The battle came after armed militants attacked a military base, sparking a fierce gunbattle that left at least one Jubaland soldier dead and another wounded, according to the sources.

Al-Shabaab has suffered casualties during the combat, however, the details of the exact number remained unclear. The regional forces fought off the attack and defended their camp.

Some residents in the Afmadow, told KON that they heard loud explosions and the thud of mortar sounds as the two sides exchanged a gunfight that raged on for almost an hour.

The town is considered one of the safest areas in the region, and it is under Kenyan forces of AMISOM contingent and Jubaland soldiers, who jointly carry out fighting against Al-Shabaab.

Afmadow is an agricultural town located 216 kilometers from the port city of Kismayo, the interim administrative capital of Jubaland, which is led by a key Kenyan ally, Ahmed Madobe.

The Al-Qaeda-linked group was responsible for deadly attacks against KDF bases in Jubaland, including El-Adde in Gedo [15 Jan 2016] and Kulbiyow in the Lower Juba region [27 Jan 2017].

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