When last we heard about this battle, on Tuesday, it was only 50. Also, the name of the town was spelt Bariire
[Garowe] Over 70 al-Shabaab
... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...fighters were killed Sunday, officials said, confirming the latest confrontation between the African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and the Khawarij fighters, who are trying to overthrow the government.
The confrontation, first reported on Friday in Barire town, left many fighters dead as AUSSOM forces from the Ugandan People's Defence Forces (UPDF) engaged the forces of Evil in ground combat, lasting for several hours, the African Union said.
The African Union contingent and their Somali NationalArmy (SNA) did not suffer immense losses as proclaimed by the holy warriors, who first issued a statement claiming to have inflicted significant casualties.
"AUSSOM wishes to clarify that its forces, in coordination with the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), initiated a major offensive to recapture Bariire town on Aug. 1," the AU mission said, responding to claims made by al-Shabaab regarding the destruction of AU-owned armored personnel carriers and the retreat of AUSSOM troops following intense fighting in Bariire.
"The joint military operation has resulted in substantial losses for the terrorist group, with over 50 al-Shabaab forces of Evil killed and many others sustaining serious injuries," AUSSOM said.
The state media confirmed that the confrontation left two Somali National Army soldiers dead, adding that the operation was dubbed "Silent Storm". At least 12 soldiers were critically injured and are receiving advanced treatment in AUSSOM facilities.
The agriculturally rich Bariire town, which lies about 60 km southwest of Mogadishu, is one of the strategic areas located in the Lower Shabelle region along the Shabelle River. The fighting continued for the better part of Monday.
"AUSSOM and SNAF troops are determined to recapture Bariire town and other territories still under al-Shabaab control to ensure lasting peace and security for the people of Somalia," said El Hadji Ibrahima Boly Diene, special representative of the AU Commission Chairperson for Somalia and head of AUSSOM.
The federal troops and those from the African Union are fighting to recapture several towns, which have since been retaken by the al-Shabaab fighters. Most recently, Moqokori, Adan Yabaal, and Mahas towns were recaptured by the holy warriors.
At least 5 Al-Shabaab fighters killed in Somalia offensive
[Garowe] At least 5 Al-Shabaab fighters have been killed in Somalia just days after security forces killed 70 fighters in the country, in yet another indication of a strong spirit in the fight against the group, which has been the source of instability in the Horn of Africa nation.
According to reports, the five militants were killed at Omar Beere within the notorious Lower Shabelle, with security teams vowing to make more strides in the fight against the group, which controls most parts of rural central and southern regions.
During the operation, security teams also destroyed hideouts while gaining control of strategic areas within the vicinity. The al-Shabaab fighters have lately been suffering setbacks in central and southern regions within the Horn of Africa nation.