HARARDERE, Somalia — Heavy fighting erupted today in the Miron Barag Hurdaye area near the coastal town of Harardere, as the Somali National Army (SNA) and local forces launched an offensive against Al-Shabaab militants. The conflict intensified after reports emerged that Al-Shabaab was amassing forces, with intentions to launch an attack on Harardere.
According to military sources, the engagement began in the early afternoon when Al-Shabaab militants were pushed out of Barag Hurdaye after a fierce confrontation. The militants retreated towards Miron, with SNA and local troops in immediate pursuit. Clashes are currently ongoing, with heavy gunfire and explosions reported in the vicinity.
This operation comes on the heels of strategic recaptures by Somali forces in recent times, aiming to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s strongholds across the country. While details of casualties remain unconfirmed, local residents have reported seeing military vehicles and hearing sustained combat sounds.
The strategic importance of Harardere, once a pirate haven and later an Al-Shabaab base, has made it a focal point for military operations. The area’s recapture in early 2023 by government forces was seen as a significant blow to the insurgents’ control over key territories.
The SNA, with support from local militias, has been increasingly proactive in engaging Al-Shabaab, especially after intelligence suggested the militants were planning to regain a foothold in the region. This latest skirmish underscores the ongoing conflict’s volatility, with both sides demonstrating readiness for combat.
No official statements from either the SNA or Al-Shabaab have been released at this time, but local sources confirm the intensity of the battle, highlighting the determination of the government forces to prevent any resurgence of Al-Shabaab’s influence in Harardere and its surrounds. The fight for control over these strategic locations continues to define Somalia’s struggle against insurgency.
HORN LIFE
