At least 25 al-Shabaab fighters including four top officials were killed and more than 50 others were injured as airstrikes hit two al-Shabaab bases in Somalia's Lower Juba region early on Friday, official said.

Mohamed Abdi Buule, a Transitional Federal Government (TFG) military official in Dhobley district of Lower Juba, told Somalia Report that the airstrikes hit Taabta and Jalas villages, 35km west of Dhobley and claimed that the militia fled their bases after the airstrike.

“Today a friendly nation conducted airstrikes against al-Shabaab terrorists. We confirmed that 25 fighters died and four of them were top officials. Three of their vehicles were destroyed and they ran away," said the official.

“When the airstrike were taking place, al-Shabaab was preparing to launch attacks against us. We destroyed them in their bases and foiled their plans. We welcome the airstrikes because it’s against the enemy of Somalia and neighboring countries,” he added.

Airstrikes against al-Shabaab are becoming more frequent with at least seven happening in the last few months, including yesterday.

Al-Shabaab Fighter in Mogadishu (File Photo)

Al-Shabaab's al-Qaeda affiliated militants in Somalia have declared a new offensive against Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) soldiers and African Union peacekeepers (known as AMISOM) in Mogadishu.

During a press conference at a former pasta factory in Mogadishu, al-Shabaab displayed three TFG soldiers and an armored vehicle seized from the government.

Sheikh Mohamed Abu Abdurrahman, al-Shabaab’s chairman in Banadir region, said their fighters are fully prepared to wage new military offenses against AMISOM and government soldiers.

“We have arranged new military tactics and our Islamic fighters are ready to wage a new war against our enemies in Somalia,” he said during the press conference.

Abu Abdurrahman denied that the al-Shabaab fighters abandoned their stronghold areas in Mogadishu and urged the Somali people to take part in the holy wars against their enemies in the country.

“We will wage our new tactics of fighting everyday to force the TFG and AMISOM to surrender,” vowed the spokesman.

Mohamed Sadik Daa’uud, an al-Shabaab officer, told Somalia Report the fighters will target Mogadishu's northern districts including Abdulasiis, Kaaraan and Yaaqshiid in the coming days.

“Since our withdrawal in Mogadishu at the beginning of August, we have tested the power of the government and AMISOM soldiers. We have attacked on different occasions after we realized their weakness so we have arranged new military offensives against their forces,” he said.

Kaafi Abdalla, a political analyst in Mogadishu, told Somalia Report the government forces are missing an opportunity to secure the city.

“Al-Shabaab is lacking the military ability to fight government soldiers and African Union forces because they are very weak. Government leaders are neglecting a great opportunity for opening negotiations with moderate leaders in the group to minimize the imminent risks from the guerrilla attacks in Mogadishu,” he said.

Other al-Shabaab officials continued the declaration of new offensives.

Al-Shabaab Spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohmud Rage claimed that every aspect of the offensives including suicide attacks, IEDs as well as organized killings on government officials are designed to create fear.

Abu Abdi Rahman, al-Shabaab’s chief in Mogadishu threatened that hundreds of 'recruited' youths who completed training in Lower and Middle Shabelle would be sent to wage counter attacks in Mogadishu.

He further said that some government officials surrendered to their side and repented to Allah.

The Somali government currently controls 90% of Mogadishu including the main Bakara Market after the militants vacated the capital on August 6th in what they called a tactical move.

@Somalia Report

Uganda Delegation

A delegation from Uganda lead by Defense Minister Crispus Kiyonga arrived in Mogadishu today to discuss Uganda's role in securing Somalia as part of the African Union mission (known as AMISOM).

Transitional Federal Government (TFG) officials including Somalia’s deputy prime minister and minister of defense warmly welcomed the delegation at Aden Adde International Airport.

Dr. Kiyonga and Somalia’s Defense Minister Arab Isse visited TFG and AMISOM military bases, including AMISOM's largest base in Somalia, Halane, as well as the frontlines where the government and AMISOM troops are battling the hardline al-Shabaab militants. Dr. Kiyonga also met with Somalia President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed in Villa Somalia.

The two defense ministers held a joint press conference at the presidential place where the Somali defense minister thanked his Ugandan counterpart for coming to Somalia and supporting the government.

In turn, Dr. Kiyonga said, “we congratulate the Somalia government for its efforts at providing reconciliation and securing the humanitarian assistant to suffering people.”

He also explained his reason for coming to the country.

“I came hear to see how the security situation of Mogadishu has changed. Everything is going on to the positive side and we are planning to increase our troops in Somalia. I hope that the security operation will be continue,” explained Dr. Kiyonga.

He also said Uganda will continue to provide training to Somali forces in Uganda as well as dispatch 2,000 more soldiers to Somalia.

Uganda has the largest contingent of African peacekeeping forces in Mogadishu. As of September 13 2011, AMISOM has 9,595 troops mainly from Uganda and Burundi working in Somalia, according to AMISOM's website.

This trip marks the first time Uganda’s defense minister has been in Mogadishu since AMISOM operation began on 2007.

Renovations to Military Camps

Meanwhile the Somali defense minister said that within five months all military barracks and installations that have been destroyed after two decades of warfare will undergo renovations.

Late last week the defense minister embarked on a mission to assess the military installations where he assured the Somali government forces of complete rebuilding of the Somali army.

The military barracks and buildings in Mogadishu set for renovation include Mariino camp, Gulwadayasha, former defense ministry headquarters, Jaale Siyad College, former Somali government official homes, Shirkole, a former orphanage and military hospital, and Damaanyo buildings.

Somalia Report

Donkey Bomb

Somali police today intercepted a donkey pulling a cart with an improvised explosive device (IED) in heartland of the Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

The spokesman of Somalia's National Security Forces, Ibrahim Omar Aden, said during a press conference that security forces managed to intercept the donkey, which he claimed al-Shabaab planned to detonate near government offices in the capital.

“Early on Friday the security forces nabbed a donkey carrying the IED at the Ex-control Afgoi strategic intersection in Mogadishu. The man leading the donkey managed to escape,” said the spokesman. "The security department was tipped off about the terror attack so we were able to foil the attack. Security forces are on alert for attacks such as this,” he added.

Somali forces have foiled several suicide attacks targeting civilians and government bases since al-Shabaab fled the capital on August 6th.

On Thursday the security forces displayed a young boy on whom al-Sabaab planted suicide belt to blow himself up at government areas.

Somalia Report

Donkey IED

Mohamed Abdi Maddaale, a journalist for Somalia Report, has been detained in Wadajir district by security forces from Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) as he was trying to cover the explosion near Mogadishu's airport on Saturday afternoon.