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Reuters
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Al Shabaab captures central Somali town, presses on with advance
MOGADISHU , July 14 (Reuters) - Al Shabaab insurgents have seized the town of Tardo in Somalia's central Hiiran region and are pressing on with an advance that has already displaced thousands, a military official said. Tardo, a key crossroads linking larger urban centres, fell on Sunday after the al Qaeda-allied fighters of al Shabaab drove out government-allied clan fighters, Major Mohamed Abdullahi told Reuters. Al Shabaab has waged an insurgency in Somalia since 2007 in a bid to topple the internationally-backed central government and establish its own rule based on its strict interpretation of sharia law. "The group is advancing to other areas after the fall of Tardo," Abdullahi said. Somali forces and local clan fighters, known as Macwiisleey, are mobilising for a counterattack, he added. A local elder, a clan fighter and a regional lawmaker confirmed the capture of Tardo - which could help al Shabaab move on to other bigger towns because of its position. Al Shabaab's offensive in the region has escalated since early this year. Previous advances reached within 50 km (30 miles) of the national capital Mogadishu, though Somali forces recaptured those villages. "We are discussing with Hiraan people about plans to recapture the towns from al Shabaab," Abdullahi said. About 100 soldiers had been deployed to reinforce local fighters, he added. Regional lawmaker Dahir Amin told Reuters at least 12,500 families have fled Tardo and the nearby town of Muqokori, which al Shabaab said it captured last week.


Associated Press
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Al-Shabab group claims responsibility for explosion at a military training school in Somalia
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Somalia's defense ministry said officials were investigating an explosion at a military training school in the capital Mogadishu on Wednesday, an incident claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militant group as a suicide attack. It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured in the explosion at the Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy, one of Somalia's main training centers for its new army recruits. Al-Shabab, which has previously staged attacks in Somalia, on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the attack. It said a suicide bomber detonated an explosive to target a western delegation that was training recruits. 'The suicide bomber was wearing a suicide vest and was intercepted before reaching his target. He blew himself up, causing minimal casualties,' Adan Hassan, one of the new army recruits and an eyewitness at the scene, told The Associated Press by phone. The Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy was last targeted in July 2023, when a suicide bomber disguised in uniform killed at least 25 soldiers and wounded more than 70 others. Al-Shabab frequently targets military installations as part of its insurgency to topple the Somali government and impose its strict version of Islamic law. The Somali government has in recent months intensified security operations to crack down on militants. Last week, government forces conducted an operation in the central Hiran region where al-Shabab militants had taken key towns and villages.