Saturday July 8, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) – Heavy fighting erupted between Somali government forces, supported by local clan militia, and al Shabab militants in the Bardhere area, 22 km south of Beledweyne in the Hiiraan region.
The fighting follows the resumption of joint anti-al Shabab operations in Southern Beledweyne, especially in the Tabantab and Mohamed Hassan villages.
The interim president of the Hiiraan State administration, Ali Jeyte Osman, two members of the Lower House of the Parliament, Mohamed Abduqadir Mohamed and Mohamed Abdullahi Buralle, and the commander of the 5th battalion of the 27th division of the Somali army, Mohamud Hassan Ibrahim Baakay, were leading the troops engaged in the operations in Southern Beledweyne.
The number of casualties remains unknown, and local officials have refrained from commenting on the situation.
Saturday's clashes occurred shortly after another confrontation between al Shabab militants and government forces, supported by local forces, erupted in the Bera Yabal area, part of the Buulaburte district in the Hiiraan region on Friday night.