Al-Shabaab Ambushed Turkish-Trained Somali Troops Near Leego in 2026
🚨 AS released graphic photos from today’s assault on the Turkish-organised offensive to break #Baidoa’s siege The army retreated to the US #Balidogle camp. At least 3 F16s reportedly intervened to rescue Turkish-backed Gorgor units, but the total collapse could not be prevented
Somali government forces have likely suffered a major defeat in an ambush staged by the Al-Shabaab terrorist group earlier today.
A government military column travelling through territory controlled by Al-Shabaab in Somalia’s interior was ambushed near the city of Leego.
Al-Shabaab has claimed that 321 soldiers were killed and dozens of vehicles, including some recently supplied by Turkey, were destroyed or captured.
Although the exact death toll cannot yet be independently verified, reports and images of numerous destroyed government vehicles indicate that the militants carried out a successful ambush. The remaining government forces are reportedly to have retreated from the battlefield.
If confirmed, this could mark the Somali government’s most significant battlefield defeat in the ongoing civil war since a similar ambush in 2023.
Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab has claimed that 321 Somali government troops were killed in an ambush near Leego in the Lower Shabelle region. The reported death toll remains unverified, and Somali authorities have yet to issue an immediate response.
