The defense minister of Somalia Gen Abdulkadir Sheikh Ali Dini said Al shabaab was successfully repulsed in the dawn attack on the base of SNA and AMISOM in Halgan village, 75Km south of Beledweyne city on Thursday.
“Heavily armed Al Shabaab militants attacked SNA and AMISOM base in Halgan early on Thursday morning and the allied troops repulsed the attack,” said Somali defense minister.
The minister said Al Shabaab has stepped up its Ramadan attacks, including gun and suicide raids in government-controlled towns in the country, but declared that security forces will put on standby to prevent such attacks.
The defense minister has urged public to be more vigilant and closely work with the Govt security forces and AMISOM to avert Al shabaab from carrying out further attack during the holy month of Ramadan.
The minister’s statement comes day after Al shabaab has launched a massive attack on Halgan base, which houses Somali and Ethiopian troops, killing scores of soldiers and civilians.
Al-Shabaab-run radio Andalus claimed Thursday its militants have killed 60 Ethiopian soldiers serving under African Union mission in Somalia in Halgan attack, a claim that was rebuffed by AMISOM and Ethiopian government.
