Somalia: Jubaland forces clash with Al Shabaab, Militants take over village

KISMAYO, Somalia Oct 26, 2014 (Garowe Online)-As Somalia Federal Government is striving to fend off Islamist threats in southern and central Somalia, Jubaland forces clashed with Al Shabaab militants in deadly battle, Garowe Online reports.

The fighting raged after Jubaland forces in armored fighting vehicles began to thrust into Abdalla Biroole village which lies a few kilometers away from the southern port city of Kismayo on Saturday afternoon on their way to Bulo Haji vicinity.

Al Shabaab militants ambushed Jubaland convoy along the road leading to Bulo Haji, 20 km west of Abdalle Birole, with residents of Bulo Haji disclosing that subsequent armed confrontation lasted nearly seven hours.

Meanwhile, speaking with Garowe Online correspondent on condition of the anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, Jubaland forces commander said they lost 11 soldiers in the battle, and confirmed that Abdalle Birole fell to Islamist insurgents.

Jubaland President Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) who had been on visit to Raskamboni right away returned to Kismayo, holding talks with army commanders in nearby Turqato village.

Beleaguered Al Shabaab militants are said to have shifted balance from fertile hinterland along Jubba River to hotbeds, west of Kismayo. 

GAROWE ONLINE