Al Shabaab attacks strategic Somali town as government forces struggle to contain insurgent gains.

Al Shabaab fighters launched an attack on the central Somali town of Adan Yabaal on Wednesday, a key military staging area for government operations against the militant group, according to local residents.

The assault comes as al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked group, has made significant territorial gains in recent weeks, including briefly seizing villages within 50 kilometers of Mogadishu last month—stoking fears in the capital of a potential attack. Although government forces have since retaken those areas, the militants continue to advance through rural regions.

To bolster military efforts, the Somali government has deployed additional personnel, including police and prison guards, sources told Reuters. Adan Yabaal, located roughly 245 kilometers north of Mogadishu, has served as a launch point for raids on al Shabaab positions. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is from the region, visited the town last month to consult with military commanders on reinforcing defenses.

“After morning prayers, we heard a loud explosion followed by heavy gunfire,” said Fatuma Nur, a mother of four, speaking by phone from the town. “They attacked from two directions. I’m still hiding indoors, and the fighting continues.”

Conflicting reports have emerged about the outcome. A military officer, Captain Hussein Olow, claimed government forces repelled the attackers. However, in a statement, al Shabaab claimed its fighters overran 10 military sites and seized control of the town.

The national government has not issued an official response.

The attack comes amid uncertainty surrounding the future of international security support for Somalia, raising concerns about the country’s capacity to contain the insurgency.

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