BAIDOA, Somalia Nov 13, 2014 (Garowe Online)-Somali Federal Government forces raided Al Shabaab bases in Bay region of southwestern Somalia on Wednesday afternoon as officials reported of midnight retaliation by militants, Garowe Online reports.

Somali National Army commander Mohamed Mohamud Nur told the media that government troops attacked Al Shabaab hideouts in the outskirts of Goofgaduud Shabelle vicinity which lies 20km from Baidoa, killing two fighters.

“We killed two Al Shabaab militants in the army raid and one government soldier sustained bullet wounds,” said Nur.

Meanwhile, heavy gun battle that lasted nearly an hour raged between Al Shabaab attackers and government forces at a security checkpoint in Maya Fulka area overnight on Wednesday.

Security officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to address the media that seven militants died in the attack.

Beleaguered Islamist insurgents intensified guerrilla warfare, largely in central and southern Somalia following the death of leader in early September.

GAROWE ONLINE