​Somalia: Al Shabaab claims killing three soldiers in blast near Kismayo

Image

KISMAYO, Somalia- At least three Somali soldiers killed, and several wounded in a roadside bomb targeted on military convoy outside the port city of Kismayo, about 500 kilometers south of Mogadishu on Saturday, Garowe Online reports.

The Al Qaida-linked terror group Al Shabaab said in a statement it carried out the deadly attack, which took place at Goobweyn area, some 20 km east of Kismayo town, the regional capital of Jubbaland state.

"Our fighters conducted a bomb attack on Jubbaland forces at Goobweyn village, and killed 3, including senior army officers," said Al Shabaab's military operations spokesman Sheikh Abulaziz Abu Musab.

Jubbaland state which is battling Al Shabaab for years in major areas in southern Somalia is yet to release its own statement concerning Saturday's attack in Goobweyn district.

Al Shabaab has intensified attacks, including car bombs in the capital Mogadishu, and other parts of the country in a bid to overthrow the western-backed Somali Federal government. 

the surge in the Al Shabaab attacks comes amid the preparation to hold the presidential election on February 8, 2017.

GAROWEONLINE

Related Articles

Somali president discusses election dispute with international partners

According to officials familiar with the discussions, Mohamud briefed the diplomats on the federal government's electoral agenda.

  • Somalia

    04-08-2026

  • 11:33AM

Somalia's ruling party wins expected victory in Galmudug local polls

The elections marked the second local vote held under Somalia's one-person, one-vote electoral system in a federal member state.

  • Somalia

    03-08-2026

  • 07:34PM