Somali army suffers deadliest ambush in years during Baidoa offensive

A convoy of approximately 2,000 Somali National Army troops and more than 200 military vehicles was ambushed by Al-Shabaab militants on Monday near the town of Leego in Lower Shabelle. The attack, which occurred on the road linking Baidoa and Mogadishu, is being described by observers as the deadliest setback for the army since the Cowsweyne battle in 2023.

The troops were advancing as part of Operation Banooda, a federal government initiative to reopen the strategic road between Baidoa, Burhakabo, and Mogadishu. The offensive was launched after forces loyal to former Southwest State leader Abdiaziz Laftagaren seized five key towns in the Bay region, leaving Baidoa as the only major city in the area under federal control.

Somalia’s Ministry of Defense stated that more than 70 militants were killed in the engagement, while Al-Shabaab claimed 321 soldiers were killed and released images of destroyed armored personnel carriers. Dozens of army vehicles were seen retreating toward Bellidogle airbase, indicating a withdrawal from initial positions in Jame’o and Leego. The attack coincides with a worsening political crisis in Somalia, where the opposition has turned to armed action to force the incumbent president to hold elections.

Read the full story at somaliguardian.com.