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Airstrikes Hit Al-Shabaab in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle Region After Militant Attack on Army Base
[ShabelleMedia] Warplanes launched a series of  ...KABOOM!... s in the Hawadley area of Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region late last night, targeting known al-Shabaab ... al-Qaeda's tentacle in East Africa... strongholds. The attacks resulted in the destruction of multiple vehicles used by the turban group, according to local reports. The airstrikes were a direct response to an earlier assault by al-Shabaab on a Somali government military base in Hawadley, which reportedly led to numerous casualties among the Somali National Army. Sources within the military confirmed that the attack on their base was one of the deadliest in recent months, prompting the swift aerial counteraction. The tension in Hawadley, which falls within the Balcad district, has not subsided. There are continued reports of skirmishes between government forces and al-Shabaab turbans, with both sides vying for control over strategic points in the area. The turban group’s control over the road connecting Balcad to Jowhar has severely restricted movement, disrupting not only local trade but also the delivery of humanitarian aid  .Residents in the area described a volatile atmosphere, with sporadic gunfire and the constant threat of further attacks. "Life has become very unpredictable here," said Abdi Mohammed, a local shopkeeper in Hawadley. "The road to Jowhar, which is crucial for our daily supplies, is practically a no-go zone now." The ongoing conflict in Middle Shabelle reflects broader challenges in Somalia’s fight against al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate that has been battling the government and African Union ...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful... forces for over a decade. Despite efforts by the Somali government, supported by international partners, to reclaim territories from the holy warriors, al-Shabaab continues to demonstrate resilience, launching frequent attacks to undermine government control and sow chaos. Related: Hawadley: 2024-10-09 Somali Forces Kill 59 Al-Shabaab with Foreign Support - Ministry Hawadley: 2024-04-26 Somali National Army Kills Hawadley: 2024-04-26 SNA Forces Thwart Attempted Al-Shabaab Attack in Hirshabelle Related: Middle Shabelle: 2024-11-17 Somalia: Al-Shabaab publicly executes suspected 'spies' Middle Shabelle: 2024-11-13 Somalia’s NISA Strikes Al-Shabaab, Kills 19 Militants in Middle Shabelle Operation Middle Shabelle: 2024-11-04 Somali Intelligence Forces Kill 27 Al-Shabaab Militants in Middle Shabelle Operation Posted by: trailing wife 2024-11-30 |
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