Bakol, Somalia – Heavy fighting broke out early Wednesday after Al-Shabaab militants launched a surprise ambush on a Somali National Army (SNA) base near Hudur town in the Bakol region, sparking intense clashes that lasted several hours.
According to local officials, the attack began just before dawn when the insurgents stormed the military outpost from multiple directions, using heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. The SNA troops, supported by regional forces, mounted a strong counter-offensive, repelling the militants after a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Residents of Hudur reported hearing sustained bursts of gunfire and explosions echoing across the outskirts of the town, forcing many to stay indoors.
Military sources confirmed that several militants were killed in the assault, while a number of soldiers also sustained injuries. The army has since launched pursuit operations in the surrounding villages to track down the attackers, who reportedly fled toward remote areas along the Bakol–Bay border.
Hudur, the regional capital of Bakol, has witnessed repeated Al-Shabaab attacks over the years as the group continues to target military positions and supply routes in the region. Government forces, backed by local militias and international partners, have intensified operations to push the militants out of their remaining rural strongholds.
Officials in Hudur praised the bravery of the soldiers who defended the base and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the region.
The latest fighting underscores the volatile security situation in southern Somalia, where the militant group has been under pressure from joint offensives but still manages to carry out deadly attacks on government and civilian targets.