Mogadishu, Somalia — El-Dher, a strategically vital town in Eastern Galmudug, has fallen to Al-Shabaab militants following a fierce dawn assault on Saturday, resulting in significant casualties among Somali National Army (SNA) forces. The attack, which targeted an SNA base in the El-Dher town, claimed the lives of 59 officers, including two high-ranking officials.
Among the fallen was Colonel Yonis Hassan Sabriye, a member of the Somali diaspora who had returned to his homeland to combat the insurgent group. His death, confirmed by multiple sources, marks a significant loss for the Somali military effort against Al-Shabaab. Several Somali army forces were also killed in the attack including Colonel Abdulle per Garowe Online.
The militant group announced its capture of El-Dher through a message on Telegram, claiming to have overrun several government military camps surrounding the town. Although the claim has yet to be independently verified, Al-Shabaab has released footage purportedly showing their control over El-Dher.
Reports from the ground indicate that heavy fighting erupted in El-Dher as the militants launched their offensive. The full extent of the casualties remains unknown, but initial reports suggest a high number of Somali army personnel were killed in the confrontation.
Federal government forces, alongside local fighters, had initially seized El-Dher from Al-Shabaab in January 2023 during a series of military operations. However, the troops retreated from the town in August following the debacle at Awsweyne, before regaining control in December of the same year.
The loss of El-Dher marks a significant setback for the Somali military and its allies in their ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab, which continues to pose a formidable threat in the region.
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