Early on Sunday morning, armed groups launched a deadly attack in the Awdheegle district of the Lower Shabelle region in Somalia.

The attack quickly escalated into a face-to-face battle, lasting approximately one hour within the city, situated approximately 85 kilometers west of Mogadishu.

Initial reports indicate that at least 10 Somali soldiers lost their lives during the assault.

Despite the intensity of the dawn attack, Somali Government forces reportedly mounted a robust defense, effectively repelling the assailants and restoring calm to the area once the fighting had ceased.

Residents in the area revealed that the attackers had made an attempt to seize control of the town but were met with determined resistance from the Somali National Army (SNA) forces. The SNA had been on high alert in recent weeks due to security concerns in the region.

Lower Shabelle has witnessed some of the deadliest attacks by armed groups, notably Al-Shabaab, which has been engaged in a long-standing conflict with African Union and Somali forces. The ongoing efforts of these forces aim to eradicate militant presence throughout the region.

The Somali National Army, supported by local clan fighters and the U.S. military, has been actively engaged in combatting these armed groups.

This conflict intensified after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared a "total war" against them in August 2022, just three months following his reelection in May.

The situation remains fluid, and authorities are continuing to assess the aftermath of the attack while reinforcing security measures in the affected area. (ILKHA)