AU forces kill 4 Al-Shabaab militants in central Somalia
Xinhua, February 8, 2017 Adjust font size:
The African Union forces killed four Al-Shabaab fighters who had attempted to plant an explosive device along the road in Middle Shabelle of central Somalia on Tuesday.
The AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said the AU troops who were on early morning patrol between Miirtugo and Biyo Cadde engaged the militants in the fight that saw other militants flee the scene.
"Four militants who were attempting to plant an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the road were killed while others fled the scene," it said in a statement.
The pan-African body's mission said its troops and Somali National Army forces are working hand in hand to eliminate the militants and restore peace and security in Somalia.
"Al-Shabaab continues to lose heavily as AMISOM and Somalia National Security Forces continue to pursue them for a peaceful Somalia," it said.
The fight came amid tight security in and around Mogadishu as the Horn of Africa nation prepares to conduct presidential elections on Wednesday.
Traffic within the restive city has been affected as the authorities declared two days of holiday to enable Somalis to avoid any strain and ensure the presidential elections are held peacefully. Endit