Somalia: Al Shabaab fires mortars at AMISOM base in Qoryoley, killing two

QORYOLEY, Somalia- At least two people were killed in an overnight Al Shabaab mortar attack on a military bases belonging to African Union forces in Qoryoley town in Lower Shabelle region, 120 km southwest of Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports.

AMISOM has confirmed that its military bases in Qoryoley were targeted in mortar shelling and reported civilian casualties in nearby houses, two sisters including a 9 year-old girl were killed in the attack.

A local resident in Qoryoley, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, told GO that the mortars were fired from outside the district, but couldn’t confirm who fired it.

Al Qaida linked Al Shabaab group said it carried out an ambush attack on African Union forces convoy in Bulu Sheikh area, located about 5 km east of Qoryoley, but there were no reports on the causalities of the attacks.

Last week, several civilians were wounded after Al Shabaab carried out mortar shelling on AMISOM bases in Qoryoley, an agriculture-rich district that was recaptured by AU and Somali troops in 2014 from Al Shabaab militants.

The militant group has lately intensified its attacks against security forces and AMISOM troops in Southern Somalia and vowed to disrupt the upcoming Somali election due to conclude in November 30.

GAROWEONLINE