• Al Shabaab claims to have captured a strategic military base in Wargaadhi, but the Somali government denies it.
• Fierce battles resulted in casualties, with over 40 militants reportedly killed.
• The fighting is part of a broader offensive by Al Shabaab, raising security concerns in Mogadishu.

Al Shabaab fighters engaged in intense battles with Somali troops for control of a strategic military base located in Wargaadhi, in the Middle Shabelle region. This clashes could potentially disrupt vital logistical routes between the capital, Mogadishu, and Galmudug State. The insurgents claim to have seized control of the area, a statement vehemently refuted by Somali government officials, asserting that the military has managed to repel the attack and maintain its hold on the base according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The Somali National Army (SNA) reported that the fighting led to significant casualties, with military statements citing the deaths of over 40 Al Shabaab militants. Military officer Hussein Ali detailed that the troops suffered losses too, including 12 men, primarily from local clan fighters. He claimed that the military faced challenges in rapidly deploying reinforcements due to the need to traverse areas controlled by Al Shabaab, as noted by AllAfrica and Reuters.

Fighting around Wargaadhi is part of a more extensive offensive launched by Al Shabaab last month, during which they temporarily captured areas alarmingly close to Mogadishu. This escalation raises fears among residents regarding potential threats to the capital, as the group aims to disrupt the ongoing efforts of Somali and international forces amidst burgeoning concerns about the sustainability of international support for Somalia's military efforts according to Al Jazeera and AllAfrica.