Somali government forces clashed with the militant group Al-Shabaab on Saturday, leaving five soldiers dead and nearly 50 al-Shabaab fighters killed, according to a government statement.
The battle took place in Ceeldheer, a town roughly 350 kilometers north of the capital Mogadishu.
Officials reported that government troops, assisted by militia forces, acted on intelligence about a planned Al-Shabaab attack and set up an ambush. Airstrikes were also conducted against the militants.
Local residents confirmed heavy fighting that lasted for several hours.
This victory comes amidst President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s pledge, since his election in May 2022, to wage an all-out war against Al-Shabaab.
The group has been a persistent threat to Somalia’s fragile central government for over 16 years. Though driven from Mogadishu by an African Union force in 2011, Al-Shabaab maintains a strong presence in rural areas.
Somalia’s government, supported by local militias and the African Union mission ATMIS, has made progress in retaking territory with the help of US airstrikes.
However, the fight against Al-Shabaab is far from over. The group continues to launch attacks on government, security, and civilian targets, not only in Somalia but also in neighboring countries.
