The vibes in Mogadishu (AX) were electric as Somali security operatives in Jubbaland fended off Al-Shabab’s attempted raid on Buulo Haji, a key locale near Kismayo, recently freed from the clutches of militants.
Major Mohamed Farah Dahir, who speaks for the regional forces in Jubbaland, announced that the militant group struck fiercely at army strongholds near Buulo Haji, only to face a resounding defeat with significant losses. They claimed victory, stating they seized the village and downed six soldiers, but Dahir painted a different picture. He asserted, “Militants never penetrated our defenses outside the village.”
Though the clash claimed the lives of two brave Jubbaland soldiers and left two others injured, their grip over the strategic points remains firm. “Our troops hold steadfast,” Major Dahir stated in no uncertain terms.
Taking a rewind to July 2024, a concerted effort from Somali government soldiers and Jubbaland’s Darawish fighters saw them taking the fight to Al-Shabab. Over 100 militants were eliminated as they attempted to reclaim Buulo Haji, Harbole, and Mido—all secured earlier in the year. Major Dahir stated that 135 of the militants were neutralized in those encounters.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
