... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...group launched a surprise attack early Tuesday on a military base in the southern Somali town of El-Wak, in the Gedo region, local sources reported.
The base, jointly operated by the Somali National Army (SNA) and regional Jubbaland forces, came under heavy fire in the early hours, prompting a brief but intense exchange of gunfire between the attackers and government troops.
"There were casualties on both sides," a security official told Shabelle Radio on condition of anonymity. "However,
alcohol has never solved anybody's problems. But then, neither has milk...
the exact number of dead and maimed remains unclear due to the timing of the attack."
The situation in El-Wak has since returned to calm, with reports indicating that the al-Shabaab fighters withdrew following the skirmish.
This latest assault comes amid rising concerns over al-Shabaab’s expanding operations. The group recently seized control of the strategic town of Adan Yabal in the Middle Shabelle region, following the withdrawal of the Somali government and local forces.
The fall of Adan Yabal has heightened security fears in central Somalia, as residents and officials warn of the group’s growing reach.