Seven killed in SNA-Al-Shabab fighting in Awdhegle

Fighting in Awdhegle district between Al-Shabaab militants and government forces killed at least 7 people and injured several others, official and the resident said on Monday.

The combat come after the the Somali government soldiers’ stormed at Al-Shabab bases on the outskirts of the town in the Lower Shabelle region, south of the capital Mogadishu.

Clash which lasted hours has killed at least 7 fighters from both sides, residents said.

“We fled from our houses because they exchanged shells and gunfire throughout this morning,” resident Afrah Hussein told Goobjoog from Awdigle district, adding he had counted 7 dead but could not say if they were soldiers or militants.

Lower Shabelle spokesman, Mohamed Shiine, told the media that at least 40 rebels died, alongside Colonel Dahir Shekaal, the commander of government forces in Awdigle.

“The attack was carried out by the Somali government soldiers on the bases of these evils in the country, and in the attack we have killed five of them, we don’t know how many of them sustained injuries and fled in the thick jungle” said Mohamed.

On the other hand the spokesman has added that during the raid two of the Somali government soldier was killed and two others sustained minor injuries.

Although diplomats say al-Shabab has been pushed mainly into areas in the Galgala hills in the north and Juba Valley in the south, the group has continued to launch strikes in the capital Mogadishu and on Somali and AMISOM forces.