Somalia: Government soldiers recapture Afgoye town from Al Shabaab

AFGOYE, Somalia - At least 20 government forces reported to be killed and over dozen wounded after Al Shabaab fighters carried attacks in Afgoye town on Tuesday afternoon, Garowe online reports.

The assault saw the militant overpowering the Somali troops and shortly seizing the town after they detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at a military base and engaged in a fierce fighting that led to the withdrawal of Somali forces towards the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

According to local residents, Somali military convoy backed by the African Union peacekeeping troops (AMISOM) have re-entered the district and recaptured the Police station and district's administrative headquarter but reported that the militant remained in control of some areas.

A district official told GO that the attacks resulted in many casualties among them were Colonel Ahmed Abdule Garod and Southwest state official Mohamed Dahir Qoley.

The militant group has claimed it had killed over 35 soldiers, seized weapons and battle wagons from the Somali government soldiers

The deadly attacks in Afgoye has resulted in many casualties from civilian and Somali soldiers, at a time when the country is preparing to hold parliamentary and presidential elections expected to end in November 30.

Al Qaida linked Al Shabaab group has vowed to disrupt the ongoing electoral process and intensified its assaults against the Somali forces and AMISOM troops in Southern Somalia.

GAROWEONLINE