The Al-Qaeda affiliate, Al-Shabaab has continue to escalate attacks in Mudug region of Somalia. The militant group has conducted several attacks in localities and strategic towns of Mudug region which falls under Galmudug State.
Mudug region is geographically bordered to the west by Ethiopia, to the north and south by the Somali regions of Nugal and Galguduud respectively, and to the east by the Somali Sea.
Galkayo District, Galdogob District, Jariban District, Hobyo District and Harardhere District. The region has strategic towns which the militant group persistently continue to fight to regain control. Among these major towns include; Galkayo, which is the region’s administrative capital, Hobyo, Goldogob, Xarardheere, Garacad, Galinsoor, Jariiban, Bacadweyne, Tawfiiq, El Dibir, Harfo, Banderadley, Cagaaran, Wisil, Colguula, Galbarwaaqo and Saaxo. The region has also other small towns which are equally important to Al-Shabaab which include; Afbarwaaqo, Bacadweyn, Beyra, Bur Salah, Feerfeer, Kalabayr, Roox, Nugaal-gibin, Qaran, Rigomane and Dalsan.
In the month of July and August (so far) Al-Shabaab has conducted major operations against the government as well as Galmudug State troops. The militant group in coordinated attacks targeted military bases and towns especially in Bacadweyne and also Galkayo.
Similar militant’s operations in recent months have been witnessed in other localities including Bacadweyn, Wisil and Amara. In all these attacks, Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility, boasting of instilling huge blows to the security operators and their bases.
In the latest attacks, the militant group on August 24. stormed a military base in the center of Somalia and recaptured a town the militant group lost to government forces earlier this month.
Corresponding open sources reports cited from residents of Amara in the Galmudug, central Somalia indicate that the morning assault started with a suicide bomb attack and strengthened by indiscriminate gun fight by the militants targeting on government special force units, known as Danab and Darawish troops of Galmudug.
Amara is a strategic town which lies on the route to the coastal town of Harardheere, which is another Al-Shabaab perceived stronghold.
The morning raid saw over a dozen soldier killed, 11 armoured vehicles including several gun-mounted vehicles (technicals) were captured and seven others torched by the militants.
Al-Shabaab’s propaganda media including Radio Andalus in a broadcast said the group was behind the attack and the capture of the town, adding it had seized 14 cars and 10 gun-mounted pick-up trucks.
Earlier this month (August), Somali Army troops, SNA and Galmudug regional forces took control of Amara, which has been under Al-Shabaab control for the last 10 years. Their joint operations also saw several towns liberated from Al-Shabaab, including Ba’adweyn, and other villages in the region.
The Al-Qaeda associated group continue to persistently mount attacks on Somalia’s regions, targeting government officials, foreign troops and local troops, besides on civilian targets. The militant group aims to topple the government and impose its own harsh interpretation of Islamic law.
