Somali Federal Gov’t on Thursday has announced that its troops have taken over Masaajid Ali Guduud town after Al-Shabab militants stormed military base and briefly took control the town yesterday. Al-Shabab’s attack on the military base housing Somali troops started with an explosive laden-vehicle followed by heavy fighting between the two sides. The spokesman of the ministry of defense, Abuukar Mohamed, has held a press conference while stationed in the frontline. He has said that the Somali troops and local Ma’awisley forces have foiled Al-Shabab attack.
He said that the Somali troops inflicted heavy casualties on Al-Shabab. He revealed that Masaajid Ali Guduud is now under the control of Somali troops and Ma’awisley forces. He reiterated that there is point of turning back and the Somali troops are committed to defend the district from the enemy. He said: ” The Somali troops backed by local forces have received an information in advance that the enemy will launch an attack on the district. We have taught them a lesson. The district is currently under the control of the allied forces.” He said: ” There is no point of turning back until we flush out Al-Shabab from the country. Masaajid Ali Guduud is in the hands of the government troops.” He also spoke of operations that occurred in Lower Shabelle and Galguduud regions as well as airstrikes. He disclosed that heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy but he did not cite the death toll.
