Sunday , June 14, 2026 (Baidoa Online) -Heavy fighting erupted overnight in and around Kurtunwaarey district in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, resulting in military and civilian casualties, according to statements from the parties involved and local sources.
The clashes reportedly began late on Saturday night and continued for several hours, with residents reporting intense gunfire and explosions in and around the district.
Both the Somali government and Al-Shabaab claimed success following the confrontation, offering differing accounts of the outcome.
In a statement, the Somali National Army’s Danab Special Forces said they carried out an operation targeting Al-Shabaab positions in Kurtunwaarey district. According to the government, the operation targeted locations where Al-Shabaab leaders and fighters were present, resulting in the deaths of 14 militants.
Al-Shabaab, meanwhile, claimed its fighters repelled the operation and killed seven government soldiers during the clashes. The group also reported additional losses among government forces, although these claims could not be independently verified.
Local sources reported civilian casualties during the fighting. At least three civilians were killed after being caught in the crossfire, according to residents. The identities of the victims have not been officially released, and reports on additional injuries remain unconfirmed.
Independent verification of the casualty figures provided by either side was not immediately available. Somali authorities have not released further details regarding military casualties, while Al-Shabaab’s claims could not be corroborated by independent observers.
Kurtunwaarey and surrounding areas have frequently witnessed clashes between Somali government forces and Al-Shabaab due to the district’s strategic location in Lower Shabelle, a region that remains a key battleground in ongoing counterinsurgency operations.
