BARIRE, Somalia- A surveillance drone thought to belong to US intelligence agencies has crashed in Al Shabaab-held area in Lower Shabelle region, Garowe Online reports.

Al Shabaab fighters seized the wreckage of the drone after it crashed in Barire district, located 60 km south-west of the Somali capital of Mogadishu, resident Aden Hassan told GO over the phone.

"Al Shabaab fighters have reached the scene where the drone has crashed and taken possession of the wreckage and moved it to Awdheegle town in Lower Shabelle region," he added.

The unmanned drone was conducting surveillance mission over the militants strongholds before it crashed in Barire area.

According to a statement posted on pro-Al Shabaab media, the group's military operations spokesman Sheikh Abdulaziz Abu Musab has confirmed the drone crash, but did not comment if they had downed it.

In recent years, U.S. forces which provide military support to the western-backed Somali government have been conducting airstrikes in Al Shabaab stronghold areas, killing top commanders of the militant group.  

GAROWEONLINE