MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Somali government has said at least 12 al-Shabaab fighters were killed and several others wounded during infighting in central Somalia.
Two heavily armed rival al-Shabaab faction have engaged in fierce fighting after one of them attempted to desert the group.
Quoting military officials, the state-owned media reported that the fighting took place in a remote area near Harardhere town of Mudug region.
Muhyadin Daqare, a senior al-Shabaab leader and dozens of his loyal fighters were on their way to defect to Somalia when another al-Shabaab ringleader identified as Nunale and his Jabhat unit fighters attempted to block Daqare from going out of Harardhere town, prompting hours long fighting.
The clashes come hours after al-Shabaab banned all members of the group in the Harardhere District and its environs from leaving the camps.
Somali forces backed by clan militias in central have recaptured dozens of villages and towns following month long operations against al-Shabaab fighters Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle and Galgaduud region.
Despite losing territories to Somali forces, the group is still capable carrying out deadly attacks in major towns controlled by Somali government and military bases.
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