MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Relative calm returned to Guriel town Sunday following heavy exchanges of gunfire between government forces and fighters of Ahlusunna Waljama over the control of the central Somalia town in Galgaduud region.
Tension, however, remains in most parts of the town as soldiers can still be seeing patrolling strategic areas of the town.
Witnesses confirmed that both sides control different parts of the town. Yesterday’s fighting was the worst the city has seen in several years.
At least 20 people were killed and more than 40 others injured in the clashes which went into later in the day.
Several soldiers including Abdiladif Feyle, commander of SNA’s special forces (Danab) unit in Galmudug State were among those killed in the fighting, according to Ahmed Shire Falagle, information minister for Galmudug State.
Galmudug security forces bolstered by federal troops are in firm control of the city, Falagle said
He dismissed reports that Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a (ASWJ) fighters mounted a successful counterattack to recapture the town as rumours.
ASWJ fighters retreated to a former college building and have contacted government officials for negotiations, adding that the government was determined to capture all the fighters.
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