The Somali government has promoted two military battalions based in the Lower Shabelle region for thwarting of an attack by al-Shabab at an army base in the Awdhegle district on Sunday.
The Somali National Army’s elite force, Gorgor, and the 14 October Brigade, killed at least 20 al-Shabab militants during the attack, as reported by military commanders.
General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyiddin, the commander of Somalia’s armed forces, visited the district and announced, “I want both battalions that bravely fought here to be promoted by two ranks. We promise that every soldier will be paid according to his rank.”
The al-Qaeda-affiliated militants launched three separate attacks in an attempt to capture the Awdhegle district, but the military forces valiantly repelled each assault.
“Their three attempts to capture the district resulted in severe defeats. These courageous soldiers made sacrifices and demonstrated the strength of our army to their adversaries,” the commander proudly stated.
The attack on Awdhegle comes a day after Somali National Army (SNA) forces regained complete control of the al-Shabab stronghold El Garas in the central state of Galgaduud.
Abdirahman Yusuf Al-adala, deputy minister of information, culture and tourism, said Mohamed Mohamud Ahmed, a member of the Galmudug Parliament, and Abdullahi Ibrahim Shaiye, a member of the Dhusamareb Local Council, were killed and others wounded in a landmine blast in the area during the operation to liberate the area.
Al-Shabab militants claimed responsibility for the latest attack but did not comment on the fall of their strategic location into government control.
