Wednesday August 31, 2022
Beledweyne (HOL) - Al Shabaab militants have taken control of El-Adde, a small town about 60 kilometres west of Beledweyne, following heavy fighting between the militants and an anti-al Shabaab militia known locally as the (Macawisley).
The battle erupted after al Shabaab militants ambushed the militia positions in El-Adde on Wednesday.
Residents reported heavy casualties on both sides, though the number of people killed or injured in the fight is unknown.
The people of El-Adde have begun to flee their homes because the force that was removed from the town is not far from the area, and it is possible that fighting will erupt, according to one resident.The small town of El-Adde bears the same name as the town of El-Adde in the Gedo region, which was the scene of the deadliest attack on Kenyan troops since their independence. At least 180 Kenyan troops were killed when al-Shabab attacked their base on 15 January 2016.
Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, who visited Beledweyne last week, encouraged the local organized people and government troops to continue their offensive against Al-Shabaab.
"We have a national army and local uniformed militias. We must liberate the small parts of the Hiiraan region. Throughout the country where the militants still control, and we stand on your shoulders," he said during a meeting with community members in Beledweyne town on Friday.