Officials reported that dozens of al-Shabab militants were killed in recent clashes in southern Jubaland state.
The clashes occurred following three coordinated attacks by militants on military bases held by federal and regional forces west and south of Kismayo town.
Bulo Haji, Harbole, and Mido were among the bases seized from al-Shabab in the past month. The militants also targeted a fourth base at Bar Sanguni, apparently aiming to disrupt potential reinforcements.
Major Mohamed Farah Dahir, spokesperson for Jubaland regional forces, told VOA Somali that 135 militants were killed in the attacks.
“In total, we confirmed 135 killed,” he said. “We have also recovered weapons from the deceased. … I have never witnessed such a large number of casualties in one location in my life.”
He stated that at least six militants were captured alive. He also noted that the most significant loss of life occurred in Bulo Haji.
However, the federal government, which has troops stationed at the attacked bases, provided a different count of casualties. In a prepared statement, the federal Ministry of Information asserted that all assaults were repelled and over 80 militants were killed.
Social media accounts have released purported video clips and photos showing numerous dead bodies.
Al-Shabab asserted that their militants successfully took control of the bases and claimed that more than 70 soldiers were killed in their assaults.
The casualty figures and video clips presented by both sides have not been independently verified by VOA.
Al-Shabab has been battling to remove Somalia’s central government in Mogadishu for nearly twenty years.
The government has partnered with local clan militias to combat the Islamist insurgents in an ongoing effort bolstered by African Union troops and U.S. air strikes.
In the meantime, the Somali government has honored a prison guard with a medal for bravery who was killed after he refused to give the keys to militant prisoners during an attempted jailbreak at Mogadishu’s central prison on July 13th.