50 Somali Army Commandos Killed, 8 Tactical Vehicles Destroyed in Shabaab Istishadi Attack

SITUATION SUMMARY

1. Al-Shabaab has claimed SVBIED attacks on SNA base in Awdheegle, Southwest Mogadishu.
2. 2 SVBIED detonated killed at least 50 Somali special forces.
3. SNA Media team embedded to that company killed.
4. Only 2 Istishadi members were involved.

The Somalia based and Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab has claimed an attack on a Somali army base in Awdheegle, Southwest Mogadishu.

The Al-Shabaab media claims killing at least 50 Somali Special Forces in a double istishhadi and commando attack against their military bases in Awdheegle and destroying 8 of their tactical vehicles.

Gacal Abullahi, a photographer and videographer working for the Somali National Army radio and was embedded to that company, was among those killed in the raid.

Only 2 Istishadi members were involved (drivers of each vehicle) in the deadly attack. The attacks come barely a week, after the Somali Special Forces, Danab had recaptured the village town.

Reports say that a large number of Al-Shabaab fighters have crossed over from Hiran region in recent days.

Awdhegle is on the main supply road for SNA and AMISOM troops, in southern Somalia. Shabaab has held the town for several years and has used it a base to launch attacks in the conflict-riddled Lower Shabelle region.