WAJID, Somalia — Heavy fighting erupted last night on the outskirts of Wajid district in Somalia’s Bakool region when Al-Shabaab militants attacked a base occupied by Ethiopian forces, leading to significant casualties and injuries on both sides.
The conflict, which sources describe as lasting several hours, involved the use of heavy weapons by both the insurgents and the Ethiopian military. Al-Shabaab launched the assault targeting the Ethiopian troops, prompting a robust defense that included artillery shelling by the Ethiopian forces against the areas from which the attack originated.
After the intense battle, Ethiopian troops reportedly vacated their base in Wajid, having carried out operations in the region. Al-Shabaab, in a statement following the skirmish, claimed victory, asserting that they inflicted heavy losses on the Ethiopian soldiers and seized military equipment.
Despite Al-Shabaab’s claims, the situation remains volatile with Ethiopian troops and the national army maintaining an active presence in the conflict zones. This engagement marks another in a series of confrontations in Wajid, where Al-Shabaab has repeatedly targeted military installations associated with Ethiopian forces, ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia), and the Somali government.
The ongoing conflict underscores the persistent security challenges in Somalia, where Al-Shabaab continues to pose a significant threat despite international efforts to stabilize the region. Casualty figures remain unconfirmed, but local sources report heavy losses, highlighting the severity of the skirmish.
The Ethiopian military has not officially commented on the casualties or the outcome of the battle but confirmed engaging Al-Shabaab militants in self-defense. The fight for control and security in Somalia’s volatile regions continues, with each clash adding complexity to the already intricate web of regional security dynamics.
HORN LIFE
