The Al-Qaeda affiliated A-Shabaab has claimed another attack on Somali Army Base in Hilweyne north of Mogadishu. The militant group through its media channels claimed responsibility attack on Hilweyne on SNA base, some 25 km (15 miles) north of Mogadishu.
At least four civilians and a soldier were killed when heavily-armed Al-Shabaab fighters stormed a Somali army base north of the capital, military sources and intelligence assets confirmed on Thursday.
Corresponding reports from open sources showed that dozens of Al-Shabaab members, arriving aboard four pickup trucks, took part in the attack late Wednesday, December 11 on Hilweyne Somali army base, while a soldier said there had been hundreds of assailants attacking a government military base.
Al-Shabaab fighters took over the camp for a while before pulling out said Mohamed Salad, a Somali military commander in the nearby town of Balcad.
Reports from locals also confirm of the attacks. Hussein Luqman, a witness, said: There was heavy exchange of gunfire which continued for more than 30 minutes. The Shabaab fighters stormed the base after attacking from several directions using technicals, (referring to pickup trucks).
Several other witnesses also confirmed that they saw fire at the base after the attackers set some of the soldiers’ belongings and two trucks ablaze.
Shabaab claimed the attack, saying they had killed four Somali soldiers before overrunning the base. The attack came a day after about 10, three civilians and two members of the security forces were killed in a Shabaab attack on SYL hotel in Mogadishu. All five assailants were killed, according to Somali security sources.
