WAAJID (WDN) – Heavy clashes broke out in Waajid district, Bakool region, following a pre-dawn attack by Al-Shabaab militants on a joint security base manned by Somali federal troops and South West State forces.

According to local sources, the militants launched a well-coordinated assault targeting the main security outpost in the town. The ensuing battle involved the use of various types of heavy weaponry and caused panic among residents as gunfire echoed across the area.

“The fighting was intense and terrifying. We could hear heavy weapons being fired just above our rooftops,” said one local resident who asked not to be named due to security concerns.

While the exact number of casualties remains unclear, the Somali government issued a statement confirming its troops had successfully repelled the attack. The statement noted that government forces remain in full control of the base and that there were no changes to territorial control following the incident.

Al-Shabaab later claimed responsibility for the attack but did not provide any information on casualties or damage inflicted. The group’s brief statement focused solely on acknowledging the offensive.

Waajid has been a frequent flashpoint in recent months, as militants attempt to regain lost ground in South West State. The latest attack underscores the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab despite ongoing military operations aimed at weakening the group’s presence in southern Somalia.

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