| Description |
A large number of AS forces launched an attack against anti-AS forces (Garre militias supported by Ethiopia and Isiolo militias supported by Kenya) based in Ceel Waaq town in the night of 10-11/09/2011. After several hours of heavy clashes the AS managed to expel all anti-AS forces in the morning of 11/09 and took control of the town for the day. Kenyan military reportedly started shelling AS in Ceel Waaq after the town had fallen to AS.A number of Garre elders from Mandera moved to Ceel Waaq to assess the impact on the fighting on civilians and Garre forces. The casualties were estimated on 12/09 at 53 AS (including possibly six foreign fighters) and around 60 anti-AS killed plus around 30 anti-AS wounded and receiving treatment in Ceel Waaq Kenya. The AS Spokesman for operations later declared in a press conference that many anti-AS soldiers had been beheaded. Abdullahi Gamaas (Garre) - the commander of anti-AS forces in Ceel Waaq and overall commander of the Garre militias in Ethiopia and Somalia - was killed and his body transferred to Moyale/Ethiopia. The officer had reached the town the day before to pay soldiers' salaries. Four to six technicals from the anti-AS forces were also captured by AS although anti-AS reported having set the vehicles on fire before abandoning the town. |
