The battle of Runirgod took place between December 12 and December 22, 2022, with Somali forces launching an offensive against al-Shabaab in the Runirgod District of Middle Shabelle, the group's last stronghold in the state.
| Battle of Runirgod | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Somali Civil War (2009–present) | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 al-Shabaab | |||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 4+ (per al-Shabaab) | 150 killed (per Somali Army) | ||||||
Prelude
editIn late 2022, the Somali Army began a series of campaigns against Al-Shabaab, a jihadist militant group that has led an insurgency in the country since the formation of a functioning Somali government in 2009. The offensives began as a result of newly elected Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's crackdown on the group, and increasingly deadly attacks on civilian and military centers.[1] The main area of operations for these offensives was Hirshabelle and Middle Shabelle states, north of the capital Mogadishu.[1] Runirgod, also called Ruunnirgood, was a major al-Shabaab hub in Middle Shabelle state, having been controlled by the group since 2016.[2]
Battle
editThe battle for Runirgod, and its surrounding district, began on December 12, when Somali troops liberated the village of al-Kowthar, just north of Runirgod district.[3] From there, Somali forces and an allied militia, the Macawisley, penetrated southwards into Runirgod district, capturing the town of Daarunimoo.[4] By the morning of December 18, Somali forces had captured the hamlets of Harerigi Ali Ahmed, Lebi Ad, and El-Bad.[5] The following morning, clashes broke out again in Daarunimoo, as al-Shabaab fighters attempted to recapture the town. al-Shabaab also captured el-Bad later on December 18.[6] On December 19, al-Shabaab forces retreated to rural areas of Galgaduud region and the eastern parts of Runirgod district.[7]
Somali forces claimed on December 22 that they captured the town of Runirgod, the capital of Runirgod district, around 6am.[8] Army spokesman claimed they killed 150 al-Shabaab fighters in the operation, five of whom were foreign.[8] While al-Shabaab did not claim to have retreated, they did claim the deaths of four Somali soldiers in a bomb attack in the district.[8] Following the liberation of Runirgod, all major towns in Middle Shabelle state were under the control of the Somali Army.[9]
Aftermath
editOn December 24, Somali troops attacked El-Bad again, which was still under the control of al-Shabaab.[10] An unnamed Somali military official claimed Somali forces took casualties, although captured the town.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b "Sustaining Gains in Somalia's Offensive against Al-Shabaab". www.crisisgroup.org. 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
- ^ AfricaNews (2016-05-01). "Al Shabab kills 15 soldiers, recaptures town". Africanews. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
- ^ Ruunnirgood TV (December 12, 2022). "Deeganka Alkowthar ee gobolka Shabeellada dhexe oo ka mid ahaa xarumihii ugu waaweyna ee Khawaarijta Al-shabaab ayaa waxaa goordhow si buuxda ula wareegay ciidanka xoogga dalka iyo Xooggaga deegaanka {Macawisley}". Facebook. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Ruunnirgood TV (December 17, 2022). "Ciidamada Dowladda iyo kuwa deegaanka ayaa la wareegay deegaanka Daarunimco oo ka mid ah deegaanada hoos taga Degmada Ruunnirgood". Facebook. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Ruunnirgood TV (December 17, 2022). "Kooxda Al-shabaab ayaa laga saaray deegaanada kala ah, Daaru-nicmo ,Xawala-kulan, Hareerigi Cali Axmad, Lebi cad iyo Ceelbacad. Deegaanadaan ayaa hoos yimaada Degmada Ruunnirgood ee Gobolka Shabeelada dhexe". Facebook. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Ruunnirgood TV (December 18, 2022). "Saakay xaaladada Tuuladda Daarulnicma waa eey dagantahay oo shalay Dagaal xoogan ka dhacay; Ciidamadda Dowladda ayaa isku Diyaarinaya Sidii loo qaban lahaay Ceelbacad oo ey Shabaabku miinooyin badan ku aaseen si difaac uga noqdaan". Facebook. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Ruunnirgood TV (December 19, 2022). "Dhaq-dhaqaaqyo hor leh oo saakay ka billaawday deegaannada cadacadeey, Dumaaye iyo Holowle Gaab Ee Bariga Deg.Ruunnirgood Shabeellaha Dhexe". Facebook. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Somali Military Takes Al-Shabab's Last Stronghold in Middle Shabelle". VOA. 2022-12-22. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
- ^ Ifiye, Khadar (2022-12-22). "Ciidamada Dowladda oo howlgal ka wada duleedka Degmada Ruunirgood". Horseed Media (in Somali). Retrieved 2023-05-29.
- ^ "More than 210 al-Shabab terrorists killed in recent operations by Somali military: Official". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
- ^ Ruunnirgood TV (December 23, 2022). "Deegaanka Ceelbacad oo hoostaga Degmada Ruunnirgood ee gobolka shabelada dhexe ayaa Maanta gacanta Dowadda dib u soo galay, Halkaas oo Al shabaab ay in badan ka talinayeen". Facebook. Retrieved May 29, 2023.