| Battle of Gedo | |||||||
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| Part of Somali Civil War, War in Somalia (2009-present) | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Harakat al-Shabaab Mujahideen | Transitional Federal Government
Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Fuad Shangole | Sheikh Hassan Sheikh Ahmed †Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Al Qadi Diyad Abdi Kalil |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 168+ killed 4 military vehicles captured |
Total: 81+ KIA
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| At least 27 civilians killed At least 380 killed in total |
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| *Based largely on al-Shabaab claims which were not confirmed | |||||||
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Contents |
The fighting started after Somali forces ambushed Al shabaab fighters in Tulo-Barwaqo, near Garbaharey. He claimed they killed around 20 fighters from their opposing side.[1] On the road between Elberde and Luuq a roadside mine killed 15 people. The landmine detonated underneath a minibus, killing nine passengers immediately. Six passengers subsequently died from blood loss. In Tulo-Barwaqo, Ahlu Sunna wa al Jama’a fighters clashed with al Shabaab militants an Ahlu Sunna spokesman, reported that Ahlu Sunna fighters captured “assault rifles, pistols, explosive devices and … two military vehicles” and had killed about twenty al Shabaab militants. In Luuq, Al Shabaab attacked Transitional Federal Government troopsusing hit-and-run tactics, killing four soldiers.[2] In Elwak, Al Shabaab ambushed government soldiers, killing ten. One military vehicle belonging to Somali military forces was burnt, and two others were damaged by gunshots in the skirmish.[3]
Some 36 Al shabaab fighters have been killed after fighting with Somali army in the village of Tulo Barwaqo just outside of Garbaharey town.[4] Al shabaab have launched an ambush attack on Somali forces in Gedo region. Al shabaab are said to have ambushed government forces flanked by military vehicles at the village of Kured just outside of Luuq District. At least 5 persons, all the combatants, were killed and dozens more injured during the confrontation.[5] 27 gunmen from pro-government Ahlu Sunna Waljama group were killed in the skirmishes this day and 8 transitional government troops.[6]
in Luuq, Al shabaab fighters have ambushed Somali army, killing at least 10 people, mostly from the combatants, and injured dozens more.[7] A total of 24 Somali forces lost their lives and two military vehicles were destroyed that day.[8]
Clash erupted in the village of Burgadud near Garbaharey when Somali forces launched premeditated attacks on Al shabaab fighters, at last 6 government soldiers were wounded.[9] Somali troops and ASWJ forces took over the cities of Tulo Barwaqo and Garbaharey when Al Shabaab fighters reportedly abandoned the towns.[10] At the same time Al shabaab claim victory in these fighting. At least 10 Al shabaab fighters have been killed during the confrontations and two military vehicles from Ahlu Sunna Waljama were reported seized.[11]
Heavy fighting is still continuing in Gedo. In Af-barwaqo and Buurgudud villages, At least 10 persons were killed and 14 others wounded. The Spokeman of Al-Shabab, Sheikh Abdiaziz abu Mus’ab said his fighters seized four pick-up cars from government forces including one battle wagon.[12]
Early in the morning Al Shabaab forces launched an attack on Garbaharey, they tried to seize the city but failed to. At least 75 Al Shabaab fighters have been killed by Somali troops and ASWJ forces. According to the Somali Government, Al Shabaab high-level commander Fuaad Shongole was killed in these clashes. Only Baardheere and Buur Dhuubo are still in Al Shabaabs hands.[13]
Somali troops ambushed Al Shabaab militias and pushed the insurgents out of a village named Meykaareeb 19 kilometers west from Garbaharey. Government troops killed 15 Al Shabaab insurgents during these operations and seized two pick-up cars from Al Shabaab forces.[14] On afternoon Al Shabaab launched an ambush attack against Somali military killing 8 ASWJ soldiers and at least 10 Al shabaab fighters were also killed.[15] In Garbaharey, three persons from one family were killed after a mortar shelling destroyed their home.[16]
In Garbaharey, aleast 70 people, mainly the combatants were killed in heavy fighting between Al Shabaab forces and Somali soldiers.[17]
Sheikh Abdi-aziz Abu Mus’ab, the spokesman of Al shabaab claimed that the chairman on ASWJ in Gedo, Sheikh Hassan Sheikh Ahmed (Qoryoley), died from his wounds sustained from ambush attack in Garbaharey. Sheikh Isaq Hussein, an Ahlu Sunna officer, confirmed the death.[18]
Nine people (six children and three adults) have been killed by a landmine explosion in the Gedo region in an unspecified city.[19]
Somali forces have left the Gusar village following a problem on the payment of their salaries. The Al-Shabab's forces took over the village after that.[20]
Witnesses in Beled Haawo, Garbaharey, Ceelwaaq and Luuq saw Somali troops accompanied by ASWJ forces leaving in the early morning and heading to Al Shabaab strongholds. Later that day Somali forces seized four villages close to Baardheere, Al Shabaab's biggest and last stronghold in Gedo. Al Shabaab did not put up a fight and withdrew once they saw that they were outnumbered by Somali Armed Forces.[21]
Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a forces ambushed Al Shabaab militias in a village near Garbaharey named Kalabeyr, Al Shabaab fled the village after ASWJ forces killed 3 Al Shabaab soldiers and seized some weapons from Al Shabaab. Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a Maxamed Xuseen Al-Qaaddi told radio Shabelle that ASWJ forces are controlling Kalabeyr after Al Shabaab lost the battle.[22]
In the village of Banmudalo near Luuq clashed beginning between Somali interim government troops and Al shabaab fighters. At least two people have been killed.[23]
Al shabaab forces has pounded volleys of mortars to the town of Garbaharey, No deaths or injuries were reported. Some residents started to flee from their home against of back of new more fighting could again renew from the area.[24]
Almost 1000 Somali troops finished training in Doolow, these troops will be deployed in Gedo resuming the offensive.