Somalia: Renewed clashes in Lower Shabelle kill two civilians

MARKA, Somalia- A fierce battle between Somali government forces and al-Shabaab fighters broke out at no-50 district in Lower Shabelle region on Saturday night, Garowe Online reports.

Saturday's battle has erupted after armed al-Shabaab militants attempted to raid a military base belonging to African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM), prompting gun battle that lasted for several hours.  

Local residents told GO that the two sides used heavy artillery and fired rounds of mortars that struck residential areas in the town.

The fighting was reported to kill two civilians and injuring others, however, no casualties were reported by the AMISOM troops or Somali government troops who are battling al-Shabaab fighters in Lower Shabelle.

So far Somali government officials didn’t release a statement in relation to the recurrent clashes between allied forces and the militants. 

Al Qaida linked al-Shabaab group is fighting allied forces in a bid to overthrow the UN-backed Somali government to impose its own strict form of governance. 

GAROWEONLINE