Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud complimented the people of Ba’do town in the Galgadud region for their selfless defence against Al-Shabaab militants who attacked the city on Friday morning.
President Mohamud said that the heavy casualties that the residents in Ba’do and the Somali National Army inflicted on Al-Shabaab militants show the determination of the Somali people to face the hardships of Al-Shabaab.
He added that Al-Shabaab fighters who attacked the town suffered heavy casualties but did not specify the number of deaths. However, the militant insurgent group admitted that nine fighters were killed in the attack and claimed that it killed 27 Somali soldiers during the fierce ore-dawn battle.
“People of Bahdo, you have taught an unforgettable lesson to the terrorists. You have sent a message of courage that indicates that the group is in its final days,” the President said in a statement.
A local official said that armed residents and local security forces in Somalia’s Galmudug state killed 70 Al Shabaab fighters as they repulsed a militant raid.
Somalia’s state broadcaster posted images on Twitter of at least 20 bodies in military fatigues that it said were among the attackers who were slain.
