Urgent: Al-Shabaab militants clash with Somali forces near Mogadishu
Xinhua, December 30, 2016 Adjust font size:
Somalia's Al-Shabaab militants launched a deadly attack at a town, some 30 km south of Mogadishu on Thursday evening, a military commander told Xinhua.
The militants who are said to have driven into the town with heavy artillery rampaged Afgooye town before they were pushed out by the forces.
A military commander Mohamed Ali told Xinhua by phone that the Somali forces are now in full control of the town.
"They attacked the town late afternoon with heavy weapons but our forces managed to hold control of the town. We are now in full control of the town," said Ali.
The army officer did not however indicate any casualties. An eye witness also confirmed the incident.
"The Al-Shabaab fighters attacked the town and clashed with Somali army. The fighting was intense but they pulled back," said Abdikarim Mayow.
The attack comes barely two months after the militants launched a massive attack on the town. Endit