Heavy fighting has erupted between Al-Shabaab militants and Somali government forces following an attack on a military base in Coomaad settlement, Matabaan district, in western Hiiraan region.
According to local reports, Al-Shabaab fighters launched an early morning assault on a base occupied by Federal Government forces in the area, triggering intense clashes with Somali National Army troops and local forces fighting alongside them.
Coomaad is considered a strategically important settlement because of its location along transport routes connecting Hiiraan and Galgaduud regions, which fall under the administrations of Hirshabelle and Galmudug states, respectively.
The presence of government forces in the area is considered important for maintaining security along the routes linking the two regions.
The latest attack comes amid reported increased military movements by Al-Shabaab in parts of Hiiraan. The developments have been attributed in local reports to ongoing political disagreements and a decline in federal government military operations conducted alongside local Macawiisley forces.
However, the casualties resulting from the latest clashes remain unclear. It has also not been independently established which side currently controls the areas where the fighting took place.
The Hirshabelle State administration has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
Mustaqbal
