Somalia: 10 people killed in heavy fighting near Kismayo

KISMAYO, Somalia- A deadly fighting was reported flared up between local fighters backed by Jubbaland forces and Al Qaida-affiliated Al Shabaab militants that left at least ten people dead, Garowe Online reports.

The battle broke out after the armed pastoralists attacked Al Shabaab bases located west of coastal town of Kismayo, days after the militants stolen over 1,000 camels from the nomadic residents.

Jubbaland officials said Al Shabaab has suffered heavy losses during the clashes between the militants and the nomads, as both sides have lost combatants in the fighting.

 Al Shabaab militants often impose a yearly Zakat that obliges the nomadic families with dozens of heads of livestock to support the militants in their fight against Somali government and African Union peacekeeping forces (AMISOM).

Jubbaland state said its forces are backing the armed locals in clashes to repulse back Al Shabaab fighters in the rural villages near Kismayo, and other areas in Lower Jubba region.

However, Al Shabaab group has not commented on the latest clashes with locals in Lower Juba region.

The pastoralists in Al Shabaab-held areas, are already struggling economically after losing their livestock in the current drought conditions that stricken the country, and resisted the demand of Al Shabaab for taxes on their livestock, leading to deadly battles.

GAROWEONLINE