Baardheere (WDN) — Al-Shabaab fighters launched a heavy early-morning assault on a Somali government military base in Baardheere on Wednesday, triggering mortar fire and a subsequent ground battle that residents say is still being heard across the town.

Local sources said the attack began with several mortar rounds directed at the government forces’ position before Al-Shabaab fighters reportedly moved into a direct exchange of gunfire with Somali troops.

Residents said sustained gunfire could be heard from different parts of Baardheere as the two sides engaged, raising fears of further escalation and possible casualties.

The extent of the fighting and whether either side has gained or lost ground remained unclear as of the latest reports. There were no immediate, independently verified reports of casualties.

The flow of information has been severely hampered by a communications outage in the area. Local sources said telephone and other communication services were not functioning, making it difficult to establish what is happening around the military base or verify reports from the frontline.

It was not immediately clear whether the communications disruption was linked to the attack or had begun before the fighting.

The assault comes as Al-Shabaab continues to demonstrate its ability to strike government and security positions in southern Somalia despite ongoing military operations by Somali forces and their international partners.

Baardheere is strategically important in Gedo because of its location and its role as a government-held urban center surrounded by areas where Al-Shabaab maintains a significant presence.

The latest attack underscores the continuing challenge facing Somali forces as they attempt to hold territory and protect population centers in areas where Al-Shabaab retains the capacity to launch coordinated attacks.

Authorities have yet to issue a detailed account of the assault, including casualty figures, the intensity of the fighting or the current security situation inside the town.

The situation remains fluid, with residents awaiting the restoration of communications and official information on whether the attack has been repelled and what damage may have been caused.

WardheerNews