(23-10-23) MOGADISHU — Heavy fighting broke out between Somali government forces and Al-Shabaab militants in the suburban area of Jazeera Village on Sunday evening, contributing to the escalating conflict in the region.
Local sources confirmed that the clashes were triggered by an Al-Shabaab attack on a government base situated in the village. Witnesses in the vicinity reported hearing a volley of gunfire and the rattling of weaponry, as both sides engaged in combat. The altercation was primarily centred in a settlement located on the outskirts of the Jasira region, which is along the coast of the Lower Shabelle region.
At this time, the full scope of the damage incurred remains undetermined, and no official statement has been issued by government security authorities. Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack and has stated that multiple government soldiers were killed in the clash.
The situation appears to be stabilised as of Monday morning, with government forces still present in the area, carrying out operations in the Jasira region.
This latest skirmish follows a suicide bombing carried out by Al-Shabaab just a day prior in Elasha Biyaha, located on the fringes of Mogadishu, which led to an unspecified number of casualties. These attacks underline the continuing issue of insecurity plaguing Mogadishu and surrounding regions.
While Al-Shabaab has been reported to have lost ground in several parts of the country, according to federal government sources, the group remains a significant security concern, particularly within the capital.
Halqabsi News
