Al-Shabaab attacks Jubaland base in Kuday; outcome disputed
KISMAYO, Somalia — Al-Shabaab fighters launched a pre-dawn assault Wednesday on a Jubaland security forces base in Kuday, a strategic coastal area in Lower Jubba about 60 kilometers south of the port city of Kismayo, according to local sources.
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Residents said the attack began with explosions that were followed by direct clashes between government soldiers and the militants around the base on Kuday island. The scale of the fighting and the extent of damage remained unclear by late morning, with communications from the remote area limited and movement restricted due to security conditions.
Jubaland security officials said their forces repelled the assault and prevented Al-Shabaab from entering the base, characterizing the attack as a complex operation that opened with blasts before ground fighters moved in. No immediate casualty figures were released.
Al-Shabaab, in a statement distributed through its channels, claimed it had taken full control of the base and the island, asserting its fighters killed and captured several soldiers. The group’s claims could not be independently verified, and Jubaland authorities rejected the account.
Kuday’s location along the coast has long made it strategically significant for security forces seeking to shield Kismayo’s approaches. Control of islands and inlets in Lower Jubba can affect supply routes and patrol patterns in southern Somalia, where government-aligned forces routinely face Al-Shabaab raids and improvised explosive devices.
Details about casualties and whether reinforcements reached the area were not available. Witnesses reported sustained gunfire before the situation appeared to quiet, though residents described the atmosphere as tense.
Al-Shabaab has maintained the ability to mount complex attacks against government and regional security targets despite territorial pressure in parts of southern and central Somalia. The group typically pairs explosives with small-arms assaults aimed at overrunning positions or inflicting casualties before withdrawing.
Wednesday’s attack underscores the persistent security challenges confronting Jubaland and federal authorities as they attempt to hold territory, protect road corridors, and secure coastal zones near Kismayo. Conflicting narratives from the warring sides are common in the aftermath of such operations, and verification often takes time given difficult access and sporadic communications.
Key points at a glance:
- Al-Shabaab launched a heavy attack early Wednesday on a Jubaland security base in Kuday, Lower Jubba.
- Residents reported explosions followed by direct clashes around the coastal island base, south of Kismayo.
- Jubaland officials say the attack was repelled; Al-Shabaab claims it seized the base and the island.
- Casualty figures and the precise situation on the ground remain unclear and unverified.
The situation in Kuday remained fluid Wednesday, with competing claims and limited independent reporting from the scene.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
