MOGADISHU, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The Somali National Army (SNA) said its forces foiled a suicide attack on a military base early Friday in the central Mudug region.
The SNA said its forces shot dead a driver of a vehicle that was loaded with explosives before it reached its target in Baladweyne, Mudug region.
"Somali National Army in Baladweyne thwarted an attempt of a suicide attack on the army base in the early hours of Friday," Radio Mogadishu reported.
Local SNA officials said troops from the Galmudug regional administration are in control of the town after the foiled suicide attack.
Baladweyne town has recently become a battleground between Shabab fighters and Galmudug forces backed by the SNA.
Government forces have stepped up operations against Shabab extremists in central and southern regions in recent days, but the militants still control swathes of rural areas, conducting ambushes and planting landmines. Enditem