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''Some days Al Shabab group defeats us, some days we defeat them — that doesn't mean we've failed,' says President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
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It’s been busy at Adan Yabaal:
Al-Shabaab Captures Key Somali Town in Bold Offensive
[ShabelleMedia] Al-Shabaab
... al-Qaeda's tentacle in East Africa...
 bully boyz seized the strategically vital town of Adan Yabaal in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region on Wednesday, launching a pre-dawn assault that overwhelmed government forces and marked the group’s most significant territorial gain since a major Somali offensive began in mid-2022.

The attack commenced at dawn, with holy warriors striking from multiple directions, triggering fierce festivities with Somali troops and local clan militias, security sources and eyewitnesses said. Intense gunfire persisted for hours, though disrupted communications have obscured precise casualty counts.

Situated 245 km north of Mogadishu, Adan Yabaal has been a cornerstone of Somali military operations since its recapture from al-Shabaab in December 2022. The town’s loss underscores the turbans’ enduring capacity to challenge government control.

Al-Shabaab’s media arm claimed dominance over the town and its environs, a claim yet to be independently confirmed. Two security officials verified that government forces and allied militias withdrew under relentless turban pressure.

After Al-Shabaab take-over, U.S. military strikes Somalia town
[Garowe] US Africa Command has responded to Wednesday's Al-Shabaab control of the strategic Adan Yabaal town by waging an airstrike, in yet another significant showcase of solidarity with the Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers who had lost the battle.

The takeover of the village was possible due to heavy rains, experts said, noting that it was almost impossible for the military and allies to conduct aerial surveillance before the attack. The militants took advantage and ambushed the troops.

But on Thursday, the US Africa Command is said to have initiated an airstrike killing at least 12 militants instantly in the town within the precarious Middle Shabelle region, which is facing a major threat of Al-Shabaab dominance.

The Somali government said Thursday the airstrike hit a site used by the militants for gathering and as a hideout. Senior Al-Shabaab members were killed, but their names are not yet public, with the US Africa Command still doing due diligence.

However, no civilian casualties were reported, the government of Somalia said. The takeover of Adan Yabaal was preceded by another catastrophic blow to the local military after losing Aboorey village within Middle Shabelle.
Posted by: Fred 2025-04-18
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=753857