KEY POINTS
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Dozens of Somali soldiers were reportedly killed in fighting with al-Shabaab in southern Somalia.
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The defence ministry said 75 militants were killed and 56 wounded.
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Soldiers reported that car bomb attacks destroyed five military vehicles and caused heavy casualties.
Dozens of Somali troops have been killed in a major battle with al-Shabaab militants in southern Somalia, according to two soldiers who spoke to Reuters, as the country’s defence ministry reported that government forces killed about 75 fighters during the clashes.
The fighting took place in the Jameeco area of Buurhakaba district, where al-Shabaab militants reportedly attacked Somali army positions using vehicles packed with explosives.
Somalia’s defence ministry said 75 militants were killed and another 56 wounded in the fighting. However, its statement did not disclose the number of government soldiers killed or injured.
Two soldiers told Reuters that the military suffered significant casualties during the confrontation, with one reporting that dozens of troops had died.
Suicide car bombs cause heavy military losses
One soldier, identified as Ahmed, said he helped transport 40 dead soldiers and more than 100 wounded personnel to hospitals in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, following the battle.
Another soldier, Farah, said al-Shabaab’s car bomb attacks destroyed five military vehicles. He estimated that dozens of soldiers were killed in the explosions.
The accounts provided by the soldiers indicate that the attack inflicted substantial losses on government forces. However, the full casualty figures remain unclear, as the defence ministry did not provide an official breakdown of military deaths and injuries.
The ministry confirmed that some army vehicles were damaged during the attack but did not provide further details about the extent of the losses.
Al-Shabaab continues its long-running insurgency
Al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency in Somalia for nearly two decades, seeking to overthrow the government and establish its own rule based on its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
The militant group has carried out attacks against government forces, security installations and civilians as Somali authorities continue efforts to regain control of areas affected by the conflict.
The latest battle in Buurhakaba district underscores the continuing threat posed by the group, particularly its use of explosives-laden vehicles to attack military positions.
Somalia faces decades of instability
Somalia has experienced prolonged political instability, armed conflict and clan-based fighting since the collapse of the government of former ruler Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
The absence of a strong central government for much of the period contributed to the emergence of armed groups and prolonged insecurity across parts of the country.
Although Somali authorities have continued military operations against al-Shabaab, the group remains a major security challenge.
The latest confrontation adds to the human cost of the conflict, with reports of heavy military casualties highlighting the risks facing government troops fighting the insurgency.
