Al-Shabab blows up two key bridges in Qoryooley and Janaale towns

Al-Shabab has blown up two bridges in Qoryooley and Janaale towns connecting the Janale AMISOM military base, officials say.

Qoryooley district commissioner, Mohamed Haji said the group loaded donkey cart with a large quantity of explosives and blew Qoryooley bridge up, causing much damage.

“The group blew up the bridge of the town using donkey cart loaded with explosives and it is difficult to access other side of the town” said the commissioner “The explosion resulted in the falling of parts of the bridge.”

He added that the goal of the group is to slow the operation of AMISOM troops and SNA soldiers because the bridge is the only way into the town from the east.”

“A whole segment at the western end of the bridge collapsed.” He said.

Meanwhile a Somali military official Captain Bilow Idow in Janaale town told Reuters AMISOM military base had been cut off after Al-Shabab fighters destroyed the only bridge linking the base for any outside reinforcement.

“No reinforcement can reach there,” Idow said. “There is much death and damage.”

Reports earlier on said that up to 50 AMISOM soldiers had been killed though Goobjoog News could not independently verify this.

A resident, Ahmed Olow who spoke to Reuters said they heard a huge explosion near the military base in the wee hours of the morning but could not get further information on what happened next.

“After morning prayers we heard a big explosion followed by heavy gunfire in the AMISOM base. We do not have further details as we are indoors,” said Olow.

In June this year, Al-Shabab similarly launched ambush on an AMISOM base in Lego, Lower Shabelle region claiming to have killed 30 soldiers. An Amisom spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Njuguna, confirmed that an attack and gun battle had taken place but could not provide any casualty figures.

Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the Janale military base attack.