Intense clashes broke out between Somali government troops and al-Shabab fighters late Wednesday night in the Lukugoraw area, located around 20 kilometers from Hudur district in the Bakool region.
Local sources reported that the fighting erupted after al-Shabab launched a surprise assault on a military camp, using car bombs in an attempt to breach the base’s defenses. The ensuing battle lasted approximately one hour, with heavy gunfire exchanged between the two sides.
In a statement, the Somali government confirmed that its forces had successfully repelled the attack, destroying a vehicle filled with explosives that the militants had planned to use in the assault.
“Our army had prior intelligence about the terrorists gathering in the Lukugoraw area, about 20 kilometers from Hudur district. They were intercepted, and their vehicle packed with explosives was neutralized before it could reach its intended target,” the federal authorities said.
While there were casualties on both sides, the exact number remains undisclosed at this time.
The Somali government, alongside its international allies, has been engaged in an ongoing campaign to weaken al-Shabab’s influence in southern Somalia, and this latest incident underscores the persistent threat posed by the militant group.