BAIDOA (WDN) – Heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants launched a coordinated assault early this morning on the village of Burujeed, located just 20 kilometers outside Baidoa, the administrative capital of Somalia’s South West State.

According to multiple sources on the ground, the militants attacked from four directions in what appeared to be a well-planned attempt to seize control of the area. A fierce firefight ensued, involving a range of weaponry, though casualty details remain unconfirmed at this time.

Security officials from the South West Administration and the Federal Government told local media that their forces successfully repelled the attack, thwarting Al-Shabaab’s objective of capturing Burujeed.

“Our forces stood their ground and pushed back the militants before they could achieve their goals,” said one senior official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the operation. “The attempted takeover was foiled, and Burujeed remains under government control.”

The official added that the bodies of several Al-Shabaab fighters killed during the clashes would be displayed publicly, a move often used to deter recruitment and demoralize the group’s remaining fighters.

This morning’s assault underscores the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab in the Bay region, where the group continues to target towns and villages near key government-controlled urban centers. Despite recent military campaigns to degrade the group’s capacity, Al-Shabaab maintains the ability to carry out complex, multi-pronged attacks.

The South West Administration has pledged to reinforce security in the surrounding areas and intensify operations to prevent further incursions.

WardheerNews