Military reports from Somalia indicate that Somali National Army (SNA) successfully repulsed Al-Shabaab after engaging them in a gunfight that lasted for hours on Monday evening.
Reports further indicate that the gunfight ended on Tuesday morning after the militants were overwhelmed. Undisclosed number of Al-Shabaab fighters were killed, their AK 47 and ammunitions confiscated and SNA forces regained the control of the town.
According to residents, Al-Shabaab militants had stormed the town and engaged with government soldiers at various key positions in the city including the police station and intelligence offices.
AMISOM troops maintains a military operating base
just outside of the town which provides logistical support to SNA troops.
Bal’ad District is one of
the districts of Middle Shabelle region of Somalia. It is located about 36
kilometers northeast of the capital city of Mogadishu. The district is an area
of 4,400 square kilometers with an estimated population of 642,000 people. It
encompasses 82 villages, thus very strategic target by Al-Shabaab.
