Somalia army kills ‘10 Al-Shabab militants’ in operation

MOGADISHU, Somalia – More than 10 Al-Shabab extremists were killed and several captured alive in an operation conducted by Somali forces in the southern region of Lower Shabelle province, Garowe Online reports.

Somalia’s State Media reported that Somali army launched a raid on militants outside Marka following a tip-off from the residents saying the militants were planning an attack on the port city which is under SNA and AU troops’ control.

"The operation resulted in the killing of 10 Al-Shabab militants and the capture of several alive. Weapons and ammunitions were also recovered from the group," said Somali National News Agency, citing military officials.

A villager told Garowe Online over the phone that they heard the sound of gunfight late Thursday afternoon and later leaned it was a clash between government forces and al-Shabab militants, however, he can't give further details.

Sources said the gunfight began after heavily armed Islamists attacked Somali military base outside the seaside city, ahead of a high profile visit in the coming days by Somali Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Khaire who is now in Baidoa.

The latest clash comes hours after Somali army said a senior Al-Shabab figure with his AK-47 riffle defected from the group and surrendered to authorities in Hudur town, the regional capital of Bakool.

Somali forces backed by AU and US troops have intensified operations on al-Shabab extremists in central and southern Somalia, conducting consecutive offensives to flush the militants out of those regions.

GAROWE ONLINE