On June 8, 2024, Al-Shabaab militants attacked four military bases and overran the town of El Dher for several hours, killing many soldiers of the Somali National Force.

[7][8][9][10] For months, security observers believed Al-Shabaab was going to attack El-Dher and Harardhere as both towns host forward operating bases.

[12] The attack on El Dher began at pre-dawn around 4 am local time on Saturday with Al-Shabaab employing three suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (SVBIEDs) to breach the defenses of the Somali National Army bases.

The fighting lasted for hours, and reinforcement forces from Masagaway town ambushed Al-Shabaab, inflicting losses on the militant fighters.

[3] On the other hand, Al-Shabaab claimed to have killed dozens of SNA soldiers and Macawisley militia members, including two colonels, which was partially confirmed by Facebook obituaries.