Somalia: Al-Shabaab assaults strategic military base near Kismayo port city
Early Sunday morning, the militant group Al-Shabaab launched an assault on a military base in Jana Abdalle, a village approximately 60 kilometers north of Kismayo, the capital of Somalia’s Lower Juba region. The attack was met with fierce resistance from Jubaland regional forces, resulting in a significant engagement that saw casualties on both sides.
According to reports from the scene, the clash began when Al-Shabaab militants attempted to overrun the base, a strategic location that serves as a crucial link between several cities in the region. The Jubaland state security forces, however, were quick to respond, engaging the attackers in what local sources described as heavy fighting.
Jubaland authorities confirmed that their forces successfully repelled the attack, claiming the lives of at least five Al-Shabaab fighters. Additionally, several militants were wounded and captured during the skirmish. The exact number of casualties among the Jubaland forces remains unconfirmed, though reports suggest there were both deaths and injuries.