MOGADISHU: Regional forces in Somalia said they had taken back control of a strategic island, a day after it was overrun by heavily armed Al-Shabab militants.
Al-Shabab stormed Kuday Island in the southern state of Jubaland on Wednesday in a bid to retake an area that was once an operational base for the group.
The local Jubaland administration said in a statement that its troops, backed by federal special forces, had fought for more than 24 hours on Kuday “and thwarted the ambitions of the enemy after fully eliminating their remnants today.”
It said at least 59 insurgents were killed and 42 injured, “while 10 of their battle vehicles mounted with heavy machine guns were destroyed.”
Locals confirmed the retaking of the island.
