Heavy Fighting Erupts in Balcad town in Somalia

Heavy fighting has been ongoing in Balcad Somalia since this morning. The town is located in middle Shabelle Somalia. It is situated around 40 km from Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital.

Hundreds of Al Shabaab fighters stormed Balcad town in early morning on Thursday. Residents of the area heard sounds of gunshots and explosions. According to a source from Somalia’s military, soldiers from Somalia and Burundi repulsed the attack. Exact number of casualties is unknown.

Balcad and other towns in middle Shabelle were recaptured by Somalia’s security forces during 2022-2023 offensive.

Somalia’s military supported by African Union troops has been conducting operations against Al Shabaab for over a decade. US Africa Command has also been part of hitting the extremist through airstrikes. Despite the involvement of African and global players in the fight, the capabilities of the armed group could not be decisively downgraded.

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