Somalia: Al-Shabab raid on army convoy near Baidoa kills six

BAIDOA, Somalia - At least 6 people were killed and several injured in Al-Shabab ambush on Somali military convoy near Baidoa, the interim administrative capital of Southwest State o Sunday, Garowe Online reports.

The attack took place after heavily armed militants raided army vehicles transporting supply to government military bases in Deynunay situated on the outskirts of Baidoa city about 250Km northwest of Mogadishu.

Colonel Mohamed Aden Ali, a military commander in the region, told GO that three Al-Shabab fighters were killed in the battle with Somali National Army (SNA) troops which flared up following the ambush assault.

Ali said three SNA soldiers were also killed as they were trying to fend off the militants' attack. The convoy came under came under attack by armed Al-Shabab fighters as it left Baidoa and heading to Deynunay locality.

"Al-Shabab fighters tried to ambush army convoy en route from Baidoa to Deynunay, but, they encountered heavy resistance which led to the death of 3 combatants and leaving behind several bodies," he added.

Sunday's attack on Baidoa-Deynunay road, prompting heavy fighting which lasted for about an hour.

The attack comes amid joint military operations by Somali and African Union forces which is aimed at recovering rural villages in the region from the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab group.

Somali government with the support of International partners is working on a plan to rebuild strong army capable of taking over the security responsibility from AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) before 2020.

GAROWE ONLINE