At least 10 combatants were killed and over 20 others injured in heavy clashes that pitted insurgent group Al-Shabaab against pro-government Sufi militia group Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama in central Somali villages, Radio Garowe reports.

Fighting erupted in the strategic central Somali village of El Bahay in located 80km north of Guriel town in Galgadud region where fighters from Al-Shabaab insurgents attacked the village, resulting the death of at least six combatants.

“We attacked and captured the area from our foes. It is part of our plans to expand our grip on territories in central regions,” said an Al-Shabaab official.

Ahlu Sunnah’s grand chairman Ma’alin Mohammud Sheikh Hassan confirmed the fighting but refuted claims of losing the area to Al-Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab fighters also carried out attacks on a military base used by government troops and pro-government Ahlu Sunnah in the north of Beledweyne, the capital of Hiran region. 

“Today we attacked a training base used by government troops and their Ahlu Sunnah colleagues. We captured the base and some weapons,” said Yussuf Ali Ugas, Al-Shabaab commander in Hiran region.

A government official said the insurgent fighters attacked the base but they repelled them and inflicted casualty.

Even though the fightings have stopped, tension still remain high as both sides is said to be amassing troops for another battle over the villages.

Since mid 2009, the two sides have been engaged in deadly warfare over the control of some central Somali towns, which they both have large swathes of areas under their control.

GAROWE ONLINE