Soldiers killed as Al-Shabaab attacks checkpoint in Somalia

In a statement posted on its affiliated online media, Al-Shabaab said it took briefly the control of the checkpoint then left, though the commanders of the military said they fought off the morning assault.

News Keydmedia Online
8 April 2021

MAHADAY, Somalia - The Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group Al-Shabaab has attacked the main army checkpoint in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region, killing at least two SNA soldiers in the early hours of Thursday, locals said.

Hundreds of gun-toting fighters ambushed the checkpoint on the outskirts of the city of Mahaday leading to an hours-long battle with Somali government forces, an officer at the scene told KON by phone.

In a statement posted on its affiliated online media, Al-Shabaab said it took briefly the control of the checkpoint then left, though the commanders of the military said they fought off the morning assault.

The army says dozens of militants and their leaders were killed in the counter-attack.

The raid comes at a crucial time for Somalia, as the country’s top political leaders in deadlock over the indirect parliamentary and presidential elections with the latest round of talks collapsed on Wednesday.

The group often targets government officials and military infrastructure in an attempt to oust the UN-backed government in Mogadishu which is largely protected by African Union forces [AMISOM].

Last Saturday, the group attacked two key military bases in Awdhegle and Barire in Lower Shabelle region, killing scores of Turkish-trained soldiers and looting weapons and battlewagons.

Despite series of defeats and losing ground, Al-Shabaab continues to control large zones in the south and center of Somalia, and attacks from the group are frequent in the country, including in Mogadishu.

KEYDEMDIA English