Seven civilians killed as AMISOM allegedly launches attacks against Al-Shabaab in Janaale

Seven people have been killed and two others seriously injured as residential houses destroyed following motor shell attacks by AMISOM troops in a bid to recapture Janaale town  taken over by Al-Shabab last year, residents said.

More than 15 shells hit the town’s centre and nearby suburbs, causing death of seven people, a local resident in Janaale town said by phone.

“There have been bombings on Janaale town and its environs, over 15 motor shells hit the town and the surrounding areas overnight alone” a local who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

Medical sources confirmed they received two victims wounded in the mortar shelling which sent shock waves across the town for last past 24 hours.

A mother and two of her sons who were among those killed  after mortar shells  hit their house, said Goobjoog News correspondent in Lower Shabelle region.

Witnesses said they heard huge blasts and they later established that mortar shells landed.

“There were over ten mortar shells. Some of them landed at our village. I heard that people were injured,” another resident told Goobjoog News..

AMISOM withdrew from the town last year soon after their military base was overran by Al-Shabab fighters where the group claimed to have killed over 50 soldiers.