Heavy clashes between Somali forces and Al-Shabaab in Biyo Adde 

Somali government forces and Al-Shabaab militants engaged in heavy fighting Saturday in Biyo Adde, a town in the Middle Shabelle region, following an attack by the extremist group on military positions, according to local sources.

The battle erupted when Al-Shabaab fighters launched an assault on government checkpoints in the town, triggering intense clashes. Residents reported hearing sustained gunfire and explosions as both sides exchanged heavy and small arms fire. The fighting has continued for hours, with artillery and gunfire audible from miles away.

Casualty figures remain unknown due to the ongoing nature of the battle, and independent verification has not been possible. However, the confrontation comes amid a broader campaign by Somali security forces to reclaim Al-Shabaab-controlled territories in Middle Shabelle and surrounding regions.

The Somali government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the situation in Biyo Adde. Al-Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency against the Somali state for more than a decade, frequently targets military installations to destabilize government-held areas.