At least five soldiers have been killed including Col Abshir Shataqey stormed a military base in a part of central Somalia on Tuesday, Somali Army Chief Odawa Yusuf Rageh has confirmed.
Speaking to the state-owned media SONNA, Gen Odawa said the military repulsed the attack and killed 21 Alshabaab fighters in the army base in Hawadley in Middle Shabelle.
He also pointed out that 21 Al-Shabaab fighters stormed the Hawadley army base where the military exchanged intense gunfire with the militants.
Among those killed include the Commander of the 3rd Battalion, 27th Division of the Somali military, Colonel Abshir Mohamud Mohamed (Shataqey) who was in charge of the attacked base.
He also added that the government forces are still conducting to hunt the militants who launched the attack.
“The army is still chasing the al-Shabaab group that attacked the Hawadaley area this morning,” Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Rageh told state media.
Hawadley, one of the last areas to be taken over by the government and local forces, is 20 km away from Balcad district in Middle Shabelle.
The attack comes as Al-Shabaab has now mostly been driven out of this region under HirShabelle, including the areas captured in the districts of Aden Yabal, Ruun-nirgood and other areas that were dominated by the group for a long time.
