Eleven Somali government and regional forces were killed Wednesday in fierce fighting with al-Shabab militants near Kismayo, officials said, marking the latest deadly encounter in the country’s long-running conflict with the insurgent group.
The battle erupted after government forces launched an offensive against a suspected militant gathering spot in Wayaanta, approximately 60 kilometers southwest of Kismayo in Jubaland state. Three officials with direct knowledge of the engagement told VOA Horn of Africa that more than 20 soldiers were also wounded in the operation. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to talk to media, claimed over 20 al-Shabab fighters were killed in the clash.
The area has been a focal point of previous military operations. Last year, Somali forces killed an al-Shabab commander who served as deputy emir of the region, while a U.S. military “collective self-defense” airstrike in the same vicinity eliminated three militants.
The latest casualties come as Somali forces intensify their campaign against al-Shabab, which has fought successive governments since 2006 and still controls significant rural territory in south-central Somalia. Since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office in May 2022, local fighters backed by federal forces have reclaimed vast areas in central regions from the militant group.
Somalia’s intelligence and security agency reported Sunday that 27 al-Shabab militants were killed during a 12-hour operation near Yaaqle, 50 kilometers north of Mogadishu. The agency said the operation disrupted militants preparing to attack civilians and resulted in the destruction of vehicles and equipment.
Despite territorial losses, al-Shabab continues to demonstrate its lethal capabilities. On Sunday, the group launched a mortar attack on an African Union base at Mogadishu’s international airport, killing two AU soldiers and wounding another with four rounds from a 107mm rocket fired in daylight.
VOA
