Al-Shabaab attacked and captured the El-Lahelay village near Dhuusamareeb. In a series of audacious attacks, the notorious extremist group has once again demonstrated its resilience and capabilities, striking government forces in close proximity to the regional capital, Dhuusamareeb.
El-Lahelay, Galgaduud region, Galmudug, SOMALIA. By Jama:
The most recent attack unfolded yesterday afternoon in El-Lahelay, where al-Shabaab fighters targeted government troops. The extremist group claimed responsibility for the assault, announcing that they had captured the military outpost of Danab special units and the village of El-Lahelay.
“The Mujahideen forces are in full control of the defences of the apostates [al-Shabaab’s derogatory term for the Somali Security Forces] whom we removed from their positions and the entire area of El-Lahelay. By the grace of Allah, the Mujahideen forces seized military vehicles, weapons and all the logistics that the apostates had left in the captured bases,” said an al-Shabaab-affiliated media outlet.
The Somali Digest has independently confirmed the occurrence of the attack. Reports indicate that al-Shabaab militants launched the assault from multiple directions, causing significant casualties. However, precise casualty figures and the current status of al-Shabaab’s presence in the town remain unclear.
On 11 September, the militant group attacked the area with artillery fire. At that time, the government forces managed to defend the place. However, due to El-Lahelay’s position just a few kilometres from El Garas, currently under al-Shabaab’s control, it was a matter of time before the group would attempt to regain control over El-Lahelay as well.
Laas Ga’amey attack
This attack follows closely on the heels of a suicide car bomb attack (SVBIED) in Laas Ga’amey, a village near Wisil, in the early hours of yesterday. The SVBIED targeted the President of Galmudug and other prominent politicians and Members of the Parliament of Somalia.
Both attacks carry significant implications for the region. The SVBIED attack in Laas Ga’amey targeted leaders on the frontline, showcasing al-Shabaab’s determination to disrupt ongoing military planning. Meanwhile, the assault in El-Lahelay targeting government troops signals the extremist group’s ability to strike a few kilometres from Dhuusamareeb. The regional capital, until recently, served as a base for Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The President of Somalia used the city for leading counterterrorism operations in Galmudug.
