Mogadishu (WDN)— Al-Shabaab militants launched a heavy assault on the Adan Yabal district of the Middle Shabelle region early Wednesday, successfully recapturing the strategic town after more than five hours of fierce fighting with government forces and allied local fighters.

The attack, which began with coordinated explosions, quickly escalated into intense face-to-face combat between Somali government troops and the insurgents. Local sources confirmed that government forces were forced to withdraw, allowing Al-Shabaab fighters to enter and take control of the district.

 “The militants launched a multi-pronged assault before dawn,” a local security source stated “They penetrated the town’s defenses and pushed government troops out.”

While casualty figures remain unclear, the situation on the ground is reported to be volatile, with both sides suffering losses in what observers describe as one of the most aggressive offensives by Al-Shabaab in recent months.

In response, government troops are said to be regrouping in Adan Yabal’s central square. Reinforcements from nearby Hiran region and troops airlifted from Mogadishu are reportedly en route to the front lines in a bid to reclaim the town.

Adan Yabal was initially liberated from Al-Shabaab control in December 2022 during the first phase of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s national counterinsurgency campaign. Its loss marks a significant symbolic and tactical blow to the government’s broader security efforts in central Somalia.

The fall of Adan Yabal comes just hours after government forces also withdrew from the Aborey area in Hiran, another flashpoint in the ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab. The group has been exploiting gaps in coordination and defense, mounting simultaneous offensives across multiple districts.

Security analysts say Al-Shabaab continues to adapt, often launching surprise dawn raids on military positions. “These attacks reveal a serious lapse in preparedness and intelligence,” said a Mogadishu-based analyst. “The group is showing it can still dictate the terms of engagement.”

Both Middle Shabelle and Hiran regions remain at the heart of Somalia’s intensified anti-Al-Shabaab operations, aimed at dislodging the militants from territory they’ve held for over a decade. Despite previous successes, recent developments suggest the fight remains far from over.

WardheerNews