MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – At least five people have been killed and more than six others were injured after suspected Al-Shabaab fighters attacked bases of security forces in a town in the southwest of the Somali capital and Mogadishu, on Sunday night.
Al-Shabaab wants to drive out African Union troops and overthrow the Somali government.
Residents say heavily armed Al-Shabaab men stormed on security checkpoints in Afgooye town leading full-blown firefight which lasted for hours.
“We heard heavy gunfire around checkpoints and we took cover in our homes. It seemed simultaneous attack the checkpoints controlled by Somali government soldiers,” said a local who spoke on condition of anonymity.
He said the fighters used RPGs and heavy machine guns.
“Al-Shabaab used heavy guns and RPGs as they battled with the government forces,” he stated.
Reports confirmed the death of two civilians hit by stray bullets
Officials told the media that several Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in the battle.
Afgoye is an agricultural and strategic town in the Lower – Shabelle region, located 30km (18 miles) from Mogadishu.
In 2012, government soldiers and AMISOM troops drove al-Shabab out of the town following a major offensive.
Mogadishu
Dozens of Al-Shabaab suspects targeted two security checkpoints in Mogadishu.
Local residents in Suka-Holaha and The-African-Village neighbourhoods said the gunmen stormed bases manned by Somali forces.
The attackers who were numbering between 30 and 40, arrived on foot, according to the locals.
One resident said the clashes between the fighters and the security forces caused casualties on both sides.
“There are casualties caused by the clashes but we cannot verify,” he said.
On the other hand, Al-Shabaab in a statement posted on its affiliate websites said its fighters killed over 20 soldiers in simultaneous attacks in Afgoye and Mogadishu.
Al-Shabaab lost the control of Mogadishu in 2011 when its fighters were defeated in deadly gun battle by Somali and AU troops.
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