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3 civilians killed in Al-Shabaab clashes in southern Somalia

Xinhua, December 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

At least three people were killed and two others injured after fighting between locals and Al-Shabaab militants near Kismayo town in lower Jubba region, southern Somalia, officials said Wednesday.

Deputy Governor of Kismayo town, Abdullahi Mohamed told reporters that an unidentified number of Al-Shabaab fighters were killed during the confrontation.

"Al-Shabaab terrorists killed three local pastoralists and wounded two others after facing resistance from the locals northwest of Kismayo, there are casualties on terrorist side, but we did not gather the information," Mohamed said.

He said Jubbaland State forces are backing the locals in the fight against Al-Shabaab in the region and there is possible war with terrorists any time.

"Our forces went to the area to back the locals and fight Al-Shabaab militants who are taking illegal taxes (Zakawat) from residents who are in a very hard situation at the moment", the deputy governor added.

This is the second clash between Al-Shabaab militants and locals in lower Jubba region in southern Somalia since start of the week. Endit