By Dalmar:
Goof Gaduud, South West State, Somalia –
Yesterday, al-Shabaab once again launched an attack on the strategically important town of Goof Gaduud, located near Baidoa in Somalia’s Bay region. The Southwest regional forces, supported by the Somali National Army (SNA) troops, shortly withdrew from the town but soon managed to recapture it. Today in the afternoon, the soldiers engaged with al-Shabaab again.
Al-Shabaab reported the Sunday raid on the Goof Gaduud base through their official channels, claiming to have killed six soldiers, including the force commander “Ali Dhere,” and injured 13 others. However, these claims remain unconfirmed and unsubstantiated, as al-Shabaab often exaggerates its battlefield successes.
The Somali Digest interviewed residents from the area who confirmed the Sunday fighting. They said there were no fatalities, with only two soldiers injured in the attack. “The fighting was brief. The troops at the base withdrew from the Goof Gaduud area, with only two personnel injured in the al-Shabaab attack,” confirmed the person we talked to.
The latest reports from today afternoon suggest that al-Shabaab continued mortar shelling of the Goof Gaduud base. The regional troops have been able to defend their positions. Nevertheless, the situation remains extremely volatile and can develop at any moment.
Tug of war over Goof Gaduud
Clashes in Goof Gaduud, near Baidoa, happen frequently. A common pattern is that al-Shabaab gains control of the area but then withdraws as the Southwest forces, alongside the SNA, swiftly recapture the territory.
A week ago, al-Shabaab launched a surprise attack on the troops stationed at Goof Gaduud. According to our sources, the militants briefly captured the area but withdrew later, allowing the SNA and Southwest forces to regain control.
Last year in early December, the Somali forces fled the Goof Gaduud base, only to recapture it from al-Shabaab a few days later when the militants vacated it. Similarly, the insurgent group seized the town about five months ago. Since then, the town has changed hands several times, with the Southwest regional forces consistently regrouping and recapturing the town from the al-Shabaab militia.
