Somalia’s Ministry of Defence says nearly 75 al-Shabaab fighters were killed and another 56 wounded during heavy fighting in Jameeco, an area under Buurhakaba district in the southwestern Bay region, on October 26.
In a statement, the ministry said Somali National Army forces involved in the ongoing Banooda offensive launched an hours-long assault on positions allegedly held by the militant group in Jameeco.
The fighting reportedly took place at several locations, with government forces claiming to have inflicted significant losses on al-Shabaab.
The ministry also reported that al-Shabaab fighters used vehicles packed with explosives to attack Somali army vehicles during the clashes.
The attack damaged some government military vehicles, although officials did not provide a detailed account of the damage or disclose the number of government soldiers killed or injured.
The casualty figures announced by the ministry have not been independently verified. Al-Shabaab had not provided a response to the government’s account at the time of reporting.
The fighting forms part of broader military operations against al-Shabaab in the Bay region, where Somali government forces have continued efforts to weaken the group’s positions and operational capabilities.
The Ministry of Defence said the Banooda offensive would continue, with army units pursuing operations against al-Shabaab strongholds.
The ministry and the Somali National Army command also praised the troops involved in the fighting, commending their courage and commitment to the campaign.