BARAWE, Somalia Feb 11, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Somalia’s Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab militants killed local official in nigh raid on villages near Barawe coastal town of southern Somalia, Garowe Online reports.

The planned attacks on army bases in Ambaresa and Marin-Gubay left the latter’s head dead late on Tuesday night.

The raid triggered gun-battle between Somali government forces aided by African Union peacekeepers and Al Shabaab gunmen, residents confirmed.

No casualty figures have been disclosed to the media and situation returned to normalcy.

Meanwhile, militants ambushed national army convoy on a road that leads to Barawe, former economic powerhouse of Al Qaeda’s largest franchise in the horn.

Al though allied forces made advances on the frontline, Al Shabaab remains visible threat to the fragile gains, warned analysts.

GAROWE ONLINE