Latest reports indicate that Al-Shabaab militants launched a mortar attack on Afgooye, a strategic town located approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.
The assault resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including both civilians and combatants, and left several others wounded.
The attack led to hours of intense fighting between Somali government forces and the insurgents. Military sources stated that Al-Shabaab targeted an army base in Afgooye but were ultimately repelled by Somali forces.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack through their pro-insurgent Radio Andalus, asserting that they had briefly captured the town and inflicted heavy casualties on Somali soldiers.
However, Somali military officials refuted these claims, emphasizing that government forces successfully defended the town and maintained control.
This incident underscores the persistent volatility in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, where Al-Shabaab continues to conduct hit-and-run attacks in major towns and orchestrate deadly explosions in Mogadishu.
Afgooye, once an Al-Shabaab stronghold, remains a focal point due to its agricultural significance and strategic location.
The Somali government, supported by international partners, continues to combat Al-Shabaab’s insurgency, aiming to stabilize the region and protect civilians from such violent assaults.