Four soldiers killed, officers hurt in Al-Shabab battle in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least four Somali government soldiers were killed after the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab militants attacked troops outside the capital, Mogadishu on Monday, Garowe Online reports.

Military sources reported heavy fighting between the Somali forces and militants in Yaaqle village, located northeast of Bal’ad, a strategic area in Middle Shabelle region, 30Km north of Mogadishu.

The battle which raged on for several hours came following an ambush attack on the government troops conducting an operation against Al-Shabab in the vicinity Monday, according to the local residents.

Several IED explosions were heard during the gunfight.

Meanwhile, Al-Shabab claimed the ambush on government forces and said it has killed the commander of SNA's 2nd division, Brigadier General Ali Arif, wounding his deputy it identified as Abdikarim Hilowle.

The group also said 11 other soldiers have lost their lives and 3 military vehicles burnt during the combat in the area that has been under Al-Shabab control since last March.

Two senior military commanders were reported to have been wounded, one seriously in the attack, which was the latest in a series of ambushes on the main road linking Mogadishu to Jowhar district.

In June, last year, two MPs from HirShabelle state parliament and six of guards were killed in an attack on their convoy by Al-Shabab in outskirts of Bal'ad town.

GAROWE ONLINE