Top military commander among soldiers killed in Al-Shabaab attack

The ambush sparked a fierce battle between the two sides who used heavy and small weapons, including RPGs and machines guns, according to the residents.

News Keydmedia Online
9 January 2022

ADADO, Somalia - A senior military commander was confirmed among several government soldiers killed in a daring Al-Shabaab attack against their base in Galmudug state on Sunday.

Major Ali Agaweyne, who was the chief of the 21st division of the Somali National Army [SNA] succumbed to serious wounds sustained in the assault in Adakabir, 60Km east of Adado town.

The ambush sparked a fierce battle between the sides who used heavy and small weapons, including RPGs and machines guns, according to the residents who spoke to KON by phone.

It’s unclear the exact number of the casualty figures on both sides. The raid came shortly after Somali leaders in Mogadishu reached a new election deal, ending a months-long stalemate.

Sunday's attack becomes the second of its kind on the Somali troops stationed in the central regions since last Friday when Al-Shabaab stormed Bahdo village, killing several people.

The Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group is taking advantage of the lax security in Somalia and the absence of the U.S. airstrikes since Joe Biden assumed office in January last year as president. 

KEYDMEDIA English