Somali Member of Parliament (MP) Dahir Amin Jeesow has led the Galje’el clan militia in their efforts to liberate areas from al-Shabaab’s grip. In an interview with Somali Cable, the MP disclosed that his forces successfully repelled al-Shabaab’s assault in Yaqbiriweyne (Yaaq Bari Weyne) on Sunday night. Further clashes in the area occurred on Monday.
Yaqbiriweyne, Lower Shabelle region, South West State, SOMALIA.
“We fiercely resisted and defeated the attacking al-Shabaab militants. They left behind a significant number of casualties and fled the city. We will display the bodies of those militants,” Mr Jeesow stated.
The Sunday attack began with suicide bombings and continued with a direct assault until the al-Shabaab attackers had to retreat. Mr Jeesow confirmed that his forces now control the town of Yaqbiriweyne, where the battle occurred, and keep pursuing the retreating al-Shabaab militants.
Monday attack
However, al-Shabaab has been successful in another attack that took place on Monday. This time, the terrorist group used a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) to target the local Ma’awisley forces that Mr Jeesow led. Al-Shabaab media channels informed about the attack, claiming to have killed approximately 20 militia members. The Somali Digest could not independently verify al-Shabaab’s claim. However, we can confirm that the SVBIED attack did take place.
Al-Shabaab has intensified its attacks on multiple fronts, coinciding with decreased government and Ma’awisley operations against the terrorist group.
The quiet front
As the Somali Digest reported earlier, there has been a conspicuous absence of activity on the operational front. An unusual stillness seems to have replaced the typical buzz of strategic planning, troop mobilization, and frontline engagements characteristic of active military operations. While possibly providing a short-term respite for the government troops, this operational hiatus raises further questions about the military’s immediate strategy and ability to counteract insurgent advances during this lull.
