...... the personification of Somali state failure...Death Eaters were on Wednesday killed in Somalia following a battle with the Somali National Army [SNA], state media reported, in the latest victory against the terrorists, who control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia.
Military sources said the Death Eaters were targeting a nearby Forward Operating Base [FOB], but the army managed to repulse them, after a confrontation that lasted for several hours. Dozens of the Death Eaters were maimed during the skirmish, reports indicate.
The base, which is located in Yasoman village within Hiran province, was the target of the attack, with the Death Eaters often going for security forces, innocent civilians, and senior government officials in their cowardly attacks. Most army bases are usually the target.
Just like in the recent battles, the situation was salvaged by armed local militia who joined the fight. Fundamentally, it's the local militia who were first to give the Somali National Army a tip, leading to a serious and vicious fight between the two parties.
The army said at least three Somali soldiers were killed in the fighting. Soldiers have often borne the brunt of al-Shabaab attacks not only in Somalia but also across the borders, triggering President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to call for collective responsibility in the war against al-Shabaab.
The battle in the Yasooman area near Bulo Burde town also claimed the lives of three government soldiers, according to a statement from the ministry of information.
The militants attacked a military base in an attempt to retake the area days after Al-Shabaab lost it to Somali troops backed by armed local residents known as Ma’wisley.
On its side, Al-Shabaab said 117 soldiers died in the morning attack and claimed its fighters regained control of the location which sits on the outskirts of Bulo-Burde town.