​Somalia: Militants launches attack on army checkpoint in Hiran

HALGAN, Somalia- Militants linked to al Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab group have carried out an attack in central Somalia on Sunday, according to local residents and group’s media outlets, Garowe Online reports.

According to a statement posted on Pro-al-Shabaab online sites, at least two Somali government soldiers were killed and number of others were wounded in ambush raid on army checkpoint in Hiran region.

Local residents reported hearing loud explosions and intense gunfire from distance as Somali security forces engaged in a fierce battle with the al-Shabaab who attacked the army checkpoint The militant group said its militants have ransacked illegal roadblocks set up near Halgan, small town located in the outskirts Buloburte district, killing the two soldiers and seizing their AK-47 riffle guns.

Local residents reported hearing loud explosions and intense gunfire from distance as Somali security forces engaged in a fierce battle with the al-Shabaab who attacked the army checkpoint outside the town.

The reports indicated that Ethiopian soldiers, serving with African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) involved in the clashes, and supported the Somali army to repulse the attack by al-Shabaab fighters.

Meanwhile, the officials of Somali army in the region, and local administration are yet to comment on the reported attack and the claims of the militants.

Halgan, which is a strategic town in Somalia’s central Hiran region, located about 350 km north of Mogadishu city was retaken by allied SNA and AMISOM troops in last May, following offensive against the militants.

GAROWEONLINE