​Somalia: Al Shabaab carries out separate attacks in Somalia

AFGOYE, Somalia- Al Qaeda-affiliated Al shabaab group said it carried out separate attacks in southern Somalia, including in the capital, where a car bomb at a busy vegetable market has killed at least 20 people, mostly civilians on Saturday, Garowe Online reports.

Pro-Al shabaab media outlets reported an attack in Lanta-Buro by heavily armed militants who targeted Somali government forces stationed at a military base in the area located in Lower Shabelle region.

The fighters have managed to seize briefly the control of Lanta Buro after overpowering the government army in the fight, according to local residents who spoke to GO over the phone.

A number of unspecified people, including women and children were among those injured in the fighting between Al Shabaab fighters and Somali soldiers in Lanta Buro on Saturday, medics said.

Somali military officials in the region said they saw several dead bodies of Al Shabaab fighters killed in the battle lying on the combat ground after SNA forces retook control of the area from the militants shortly.

Al Shabaab fighters have also ambushed a military convoy carrying Somali troops outside Afgoye district in Lower Shabelle region, about 30 km northwest of the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

In the past weeks, the militant group has intensified its attacks targeting civilians, government officials and allied AMISOM forces amid preparation to hold Somali election later this year.

GAROWEONLINE