MOGADISHU – Al Shabab militants have reportedly taken over Biyo Adde town on Saturday following heavy fighting, amid a surge of attacks since last month.
Biyo Adde is a key location vital for defending Jowhar, the capital of Hirshabelle State, 91 km north of Mogadishu.
The militants set fire to several positions believed to be Somali National Army (SNA) bases, according to videos circulating on social media.
Plumes of smoke could be seen billowing across the city’s skyline due to the fire.
There was no immediate comment from the Somali military or regional authorities regarding Saturday’s capture of Biyo Adde.
On Sep 17, 2023, African Union forces from Burundi handed over the Biyo Adde forward operating base to the SNA forces.
Saturday’s attack came a day after the group claimed to have killed 23 soldiers in a dawn attack on Bal’ad, about 31km from Mogadishu.
The group has stepped up its attacks across the Middle Shabelle and Hiran regions over the last two weeks.
Driven out of Mogadishu in 2011, Al-Shabaab continues to carry out deadly attacks.
For over a decade, the group has been battling to impose a hardline interpretation of Sharia law in Somalia.
Al-Shabaab still controls large swaths of southern and central Somalia.
