MOGADISHU (somaliguardian) – Al-Shabaab militants have overrun a military base outside the southern Somalia town of Baidoa in Bay region, local officials have confirmed on Monday.
The militants carried out a dawn attack targeting an army base in Goofguduud Buurey, jointly run by Somali army and Southwest regional state militia, local official have told somaliguardian.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he said a vehicle packed with explosives was rammed into the gate of the military base before heavily armed militants stormed the base.
Residents in Goofguduud Buurey told somaliguardian that Al-Shabaab raised its flag at the camp for the Somali national army and Southwest state militias, and killed an unspecified number of soldiers.
The Islamist group says it has taken “complete control” of the Somali army base after troops fled to the bush, having incurred significant casualties.
Somali army officials have not yet commented on the news and Al-Shabaab claims that it is now in full control of a military base.
The number of casualties on both sides was not immediately known as the fighting lasted for more than an hour, said a Somali army official in Baidoa. In addition, he confirmed that militants were in control of the base and that reinforcements were sent from other regional cities to retake both the town and the military base.
The story is developing follow further updates on somaliguardian.com
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