Al-Shabaab attacks Somalia towns along border with Ethiopia

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – Militants belonging to the al-Shabaab group stormed several towns in southwestern Somalia along the border with Ethiopia. Heavy losses are feared in the ensuing clashes with security forces from both sides.

Al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab militants attacked the towns of Aato, Yeed, and Washaqo in the province of Bakool, which has been blockaded by the group for more than a decade.

The raiders attacked the towns from various directions late on Wednesday, and heavy fighting between local troops backed by Ethiopian police continued for hours, a security official disclosed on the condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to the media.

Security forces thwarted the assaults, he said, acknowledging heavy casualties on both sides.

Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, who spoke with President Abdiaziz Laftagareen of Bakool, later announced on his official Twitter account that he ordered all security agencies to respond quickly to the matter and provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the fighting and the al-Shabaab blockade.

Abdi Barre vowed to launch an offensive against al-Shabaab and asked the African Union to join forces in combating the threat from violent transnational groups.