Monday June 5, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - The Deputy Minister of Information for Somalia, Abdirhman Yusuf Al-Addala, has said 150 al-Shabaab fighters were killed in a foiled al-Shabab attack in central Somalia last week.
Minister Al-Addala confirmed that nine Somali soldiers were also killed in the attack in an interview with Universal Somali TV on Monday. He added that one government military vehicle was burned, but the number of casualties on the government army side was limited.
During the interview, Minister Al-Addala dismissed al-Shabaab's claims, stating that the display of weapons purportedly seized during the attack was nothing more than an attempt to deceive the public.
On Tuesday, the al-Qaeda-affiliated armed militants of al-Shabaab stormed a government military camp in the town of Masagaway in the Galgadud region. The group claimed its fighters overran the base, killing 73 soldiers and seizing vehicles. However, both specific claims have not been independently verified.
Although the group displayed weapons that were purportedly seized during the attack, the Minister of Information clarified that these weapons and vehicles were already in the possession of al-Shabaab and were not recently seized. Minister Abdirahman added, "I am uncertain as to why they are not showcasing the symbols of Masagawa town to substantiate their claims."
Last week, the Somali government stated in a press release that government troops and local fighters had repulsed militants who attempted to storm the town. The statement mentioned that 30 militants were killed in the attack, three vehicles were captured, and three soldiers were injured.