10 killed in clashes between Somali army and al-Shabaab

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia

At least 10 people were killed and several others injured in fierce fighting between Somali government forces and al-Shabaab militants early Thursday morning, police and military officials said.

Mohamed Ali, a police captain in the town of Barawa in Somalia’s southern Lower Shabelle region, told Anadolu agency over the phone that the fighting began after al-Shabaab fighters attacked a Somali national army base in Barawa, killing at least 10 people, including government forces, al-Shabaab fighters, and civilians.

“Fighters belonging to al-Shabaab have attacked the Somali army base near the coastal town of Barawa …. The fighting began around 4.30 am local time [0130GMT],” Ali said.

Col. Abdirahman Roble, the military commander in Barawa, also told Anadolu Agency on the phone that the Somali army killed over five al-Shabaab fighters during the fighting, and three civilians were also killed.

Barawa or Barawe is a strategic ancient port city, located some 179 kilometers (111.4 miles) southwest of the Somali capital Mogadishu. Barawa was under al-Shabaab control for six years, but Somali government forces backed by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces took control from al-Shabaab in 2014.

The Somali government has been battling the al-Qaeda-linked militant group since 2004.

On Tuesday seven people were killed in a suicide attack in Mogadishu hours after Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire announced his Cabinet.