An elite member of Danaab special forces within the Somali National Army has been confirmed dead, multiple sources have said following Wednesday's attack.
Lieutenant Mohamed Ali, who has among others, skilled obtained from Kenya Defense Forces and US Africa Command troops, was regarded as one of high profile army commanders.
The Africa Union forces AMISOM are in the process of training Somali soldiers ahead of planned exit in 2021, but the Horn of Africa nation is still struggling with Al-Shabaab threat.
Ali was killed on Wednesday at Afgoye town following an IED explosion and subsequent attack by Al-Shabaab that saw six soldiers killed.
"Lieutenant Mohamed Ali Osman “Mohamed Yarisow” was the Commander of the 3rd Company of Danab special forces.
"Officials confirmed he was among 6 soldiers killed in Wednesday’s IED attacks on the Mogadishu-Afgoye corridor. He was said to be one of the bravest, rising Danab officers," reports indicated.
His death came barely two days after Danaab special forces overwhelmed Al-Shabaab militants who tried to attack the heavily guarded Ballidogle military base.
At least 10 militants were killed by the forces, with US Africa Command troops also participating in the battle to defend the base on Monday.
“This is a publicity stunt,” said the Somali security official who provided details of the attack on condition of anonymity.
“Baledogle military airfield is very highly defended. It’s not easy (to attack). You can always try, but you will not succeed.”
Ten fighters was far too few to attempt a serious assault on the heavily defended military base, said the Somali security source.
The base is home to U.S. special forces, Somalia’s Danaab and Washington D.C.-based Bancroft Global, which has a U.S. government contract to train Danaab.
The Somali National News agency said the attack was over in 10 minutes.“I don’t think even they thought they would succeed,” the Somali official said. “But there are a lot of military gains happening in Lower Shabelle and across the country... This is a way to show ‘we are still here; we are still alive,’ to get attention.”