Al-Shabaab ambushes AMISOM convoy near Barawe town

Al-Shabaab fighters have ambushed a convoy of troops serving with the African Union peace forces in Somalia on Friday, residents and official said.

Dozens of armed Al-Shabaab members attacked a convoy carrying the troops on Friday in a remote area close to near Barawe town, Lower Shabelle region.

“We heard heavy gun battles that lasted for more than 3 hours. All the residents were in the state of fear and shock,” said one resident in the area where the attack took place.

Barawe district commissioner, Hussein Barre Mohamed who spoke to Goobjoog news has confirmed the attack on AMISOM convoy.

“Al-Shabaab fighters attacked the convoy but they repulsed and no major casualties happened,” said Mohamed.

Friday’s ambush began with roadside blast targeted the military escorting convoy, sparking a hours-long firefight between Al Shabaab fighters and the AMISOM forces, according to Mohamed.

The number of casualties is yet unclear as the area is remote.

But al-Shabaab officials have claimed through their media that they have killed around 10-soldiers and destroyed three military trucks.

On the other hand, AMISOM officials are yet to comment on the incident.

The main highway connecting Mogadishu to Somalia’s southern regions is often the sight of insurgent ambushes.

The AU force in Somalia deployed to Mogadishu in 2007 to back the weak interim government.

Al-Shabaab fighters remain unpredictable and bold, known for audacious and chilling attacks. The fighters routinely target the Somali government in Mogadishu.

Somalia has been racked by constant war for more than 20 years – its last functioning national government was toppled in 1991.