MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab stormed and seized control of the strategic town of Masajid Ali Gadud in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region on Wednesday, marking a major setback for government forces in an area once reclaimed during President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s much-touted offensive in mid-2022.
The militants launched a pre-dawn assault, overrunning multiple Somali military bases after intense fighting. Al-Shabaab claimed to have killed at least 11 soldiers and captured five others, releasing images of the detained troops. The group has taken dozens of soldiers prisoner in recent clashes across the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions.
Masajid Ali Gadud was the first town wrested from Al-Shabaab’s grip during the government’s 2022 offensive, making its fall a symbolic blow. Local commissioner Salah Omar Hayow confirmed the town’s capture after heavy combat but provided no further details.
In a further escalation, militants also seized Gelgub, just 25 kilometers north of Adale—where President Mohamud has been stationed for weeks to bolster troop morale and reinforce defenses in government-held territories.
The twin losses underscore the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab, which continues to exploit military vulnerabilities despite attempts by the government to reverse recent territorial gains by the insurgents. The Somali government has yet to issue an official statement on the setbacks.
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