Heavy fighting broke out on Wednesday when Al Shabab militants attacked Adan Yabal, one of the largest military bases in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region.
The group claimed it had re-captured the town following a dawn assault that began with suicide blasts launched from multiple fronts.
Al Shabab released images showing a seized military base, a water tanker, weapons, ammunition, and food supplies.
Adan Yabaal’s fall is a major strategic setback for Somali forces since their mid-2022 offensive began.
Somali forces backed by Ma’awisley fighters captured the town—located about 245 km north of Mogadishu—in December 2022.
Despite increased airstrikes, Al Shabab has intensified attacks to reclaim cities it lost in Middle Shabelle and Hiran regions.
Driven out of Mogadishu in 2011, the al-Qaeda-linked group continues to carry out deadly attacks.
The group has been fighting for years to impose a hardline interpretation of Sharia law in Somalia.
