CEELDHEER, Somalia – The death toll continues to rise following a fierce battle on Friday morning in Ceeldheer district, Galgaduud region, between Al-Shabaab militants and Somali government forces backed by local militia fighters.
The Somali Federal Government announced that its forces had successfully repelled the large-scale Al-Shabaab attack, describing the outcome as a significant victory in the ongoing fight against the group.
Ceeldheer district commissioner Abdirahman Ahmed Omar confirmed that dozens of militant bodies had been recovered on Saturday, bringing the total number of Al-Shabaab fighters killed to at least 71.
“Our forces have shown bravery. The town was under serious threat, but we stood our ground and defended it,” the commissioner told The Media.
Heavy fighting erupted before dawn on Friday when Al-Shabaab launched a surprise assault on Ceeldheer, a town that has been at the center of recent military operations against the group.
The Al-Shabaab attackers were met with strong resistance from Somali National Army troops and allied local fighters.
While casualties were reported on both sides, Somali authorities maintain that the militants suffered the heaviest losses, including the deaths of senior operatives.
Senior Somali officials praised the military’s efforts, with several sending messages of congratulations to the troops involved in defending the town and inflicting a major blow to the militant group.
Security operations continued throughout Saturday in the outskirts of Ceeldheer as government and allied forces pursued surviving Al-Shabaab fighters who fled the battlefield.
