Mogadishu: The Somali army, in cooperation with local forces, thwarted a failed attack launched by Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked group, in the Middle Shabelle province, southern Somalia.
According to Qatar News Agency, Commander of the Somali National Army's Ground Forces Major General Sahal Abdullahi Omar stated that Al-Shabaab elements that launched the failed attack suffered heavy casualties, and the area is now under the full control of the armed forces.
Somali security forces have succeeded in recent months in retaking several areas in central and southern Somalia from the control of Al-Shabaab, a group they have been fighting for years.