Thu Apr 24 14:59:43 UTC 2025: ## Al-Shabab Claims Victory in Southern Somalia, Government Denies
**MOGADISHU, SOMALIA** – Fierce fighting erupted Thursday between Al-Shabab militants and Somali government forces for control of a strategic military base in Wargaadhi town, Middle Shabelle region. Al-Shabab claimed to have seized the base and the town itself, cutting a vital supply route between Mogadishu and Galmudug State. However, the Somali government vehemently denied this claim.
Conflicting reports emerged regarding the battle’s outcome. The Ministry of Information stated that government forces killed over 40 attackers during an assault on the base. Conversely, a Somali army officer, Hussein Ali, confirmed Al-Shabab’s capture of Wargaadhi after intense fighting, reporting losses of 12 government soldiers (mostly clan fighters) and an estimated 20 Al-Shabab fighters. He attributed the loss to Al-Shabab receiving reinforcements and the Somali army’s difficulty in sending reinforcements through Al-Shabab-controlled territory. Reuters also cited two soldiers who claimed government forces, aided by airstrikes, partially recaptured the town later in the morning.
The conflicting reports underscore the difficulties in independently verifying battlefield claims. This incident follows Al-Shabab’s recent claimed capture of Adan Yabal, another strategic town, a claim also disputed by the Somali military. These attacks are part of a broader Al-Shabab offensive launched last month, which briefly brought the militants within 50km of Mogadishu, sparking fears of an attack on the capital. Although Somali forces have since regained those villages, Al-Shabab’s continued advances raise concerns amidst uncertainty surrounding future international security support for Somalia. The newly established African Union peacekeeping mission faces funding challenges, particularly with US opposition to a UN financing model.
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