BAIDOA, Somalia-At least 20 Al Shabaab fighters have been killed in clashes with Somali government forces in Bay region of southwestern Somalia on Monday, military sources have confirmed. 

The commander of Somali National Army (SNA)’s 60thdivision stationed in Daynunay base, Ismael Khalif Shire, said that 20 militants were killed after botched raid on the military camp near Bay regional capital of Baidoa.  

Al Shabaab issued another statement afterwards, claiming they are in control of Daynunay, and the killing of 10 government soldiers.  No independent sources could verify the exact number of fatalities from the fresh clashes. 

Al Shabaab has previously carried out suicide attacks and targeted assassinations in central and southern Somalia. 

Over 22,000-strong African Union peacekeepers prop up Somali National Army in the fight against militants.

GAROWEONLINE