(03-09-23) MOGADISHU — An aerial attack unfolded on Saturday morning, targeting a militant camp in the Dumaye area, situated under the jurisdiction of the Harardhere District in the Mudug Region.
According to local reports, the warplanes struck the camp named Sheikh Mohamed Raage, located on the outskirts of Dumaye village. This camp has long been a hub for the Al-Shabaab militia and is considered a critical focal point for their operations in Southern Mudug.
District governor of Harardhere, Mohamed Deeq Yusuf Kulmiye, revealed that at the time of the attack, a meeting between Al-Shabaab leaders was underway. “The meeting aimed to resolve internal conflicts within the group,” stated the chairman.
Kulmiye also confirmed that the air raid resulted in the deaths of nearly 200 men, marking it as one of the most damaging strikes against the militant organisation in the region. “Those who survived the Cowsweyne war entered the place, and it ended there,” said the governor.
Despite the governor’s claims, local residents contend that 20 militia members were killed and buried in the forest areas of Dumaye and Dabagalo yesterday afternoon. Al-Shabaab’s own media outlets reported on Saturday, the airstrike hit a prison, claiming the lives of 4 inmates and injuring 7 others, three of whom are in serious condition. The veracity of these claims has yet to be independently verified.
The strike coincides with an upcoming large-scale military operation planned to retake areas currently under Al-Shabaab control in the southern parts of the Mudug Region. The operation will involve both the army and local forces, aiming to permanently disable the militant group’s stronghold.
While the official number of casualties remains disputed, the impact on Al-Shabaab’s operations is expected to be substantial, disrupting both their organisational structure and local operations in the Mudug Region.
This event signifies a pivotal moment in the fight against Al-Shabaab, offering a potentially decisive blow ahead of the large-scale military operation to reclaim territories in Southern Mudug.
Halqabsi News
