WANLAWEYN, Somalia -- Al Shabaab and Somali government forces backed by AMISOM troops clashed in the Lower Shabelle region on Friday night, Garowe Online reports.Local media in the region reported heavy fighting Friday night after an attack by Al Shabaab fighter near Wanlaweyn district in the Lower Shabelle region. According to sources, more than 10 people from the battling sides were killed in the clashes.
Local sources said that there were a series of explosions and heavy artillery could be heard Friday.
AMISOM said that they countered the ambush by Al Shabaab forces who targeted government forces rehabilitating a road that runs through the region in southern Somalia. The African Union forces said they captured Al Shabaab fighters in the clashes.
Al Shabaab stated that they inflicted many allied casualties in the attack on Friday adding that they destroyed an AMISOM military vehicle in the clashes.
Commander of the AMISOM force Gen. Andrew Gutti stated that the operations against Al Shabab would continue in the region as the allied forces attempt to sweep Al Shabaab from the rest of their strongholds in the Lower Shabelle region.