Nine killed in clash between Al-Shabaab and gov’t forces in Diinsoor

Nine combatants including two Somali National Army (SNA) and Al-Shabaab fighters were killed after heavy fighting between the Somali army and Al-Shabaab in the outskirt of Diinsoor town, Southern Somalia, official said Saturday.

The fighting begun after Somali forces attacked a village manned by Al-Shabaab fighters.

Ibrahim Mohamed Noor, Dinsoor district commissioner said two of Somali soldiers have been killed and two others wounded during the clash.

Mentioning casualties on Al-Shabaab, the DC said seven  Al-Shabaab fighters were killed and several other wounded.

“The seven dead bodies of Al-Shabaab were seen in area, our forces also captured two Al-Shabaab fighters during the fighting” said Noor.

Al-Shabaab fighters are trying to topple the western backed Somalia’s government and in the past few weeks they have intensified attacks against government officials.

Since 2011, Al-Shabaab has lost their foothold in major ground in Somalia, including the capital, but continued their battle to overthrow the western-backed Somali federal government based in Mogadishu.