Three killed in fighting in Southern Somalia

At least three people from both fighting sides and civilians after Somali forces engaged in gun battle with Al-Shabaab fighters in Suriyo village 18 km ouside Burdhubo town.

The fighting flared up after Somali forces attacked a training camp in the village manned by Al-Shabaab fighters.

According to reports after the attack among the casualties were civilians caught in the crossfire as both forces used heavy artillery to fight each other.

“During the clashes nearly half of the village’s population fled their homes, said some residents, adding that most of the dead were al-Shabaab militants,”

Al-Shabaab which wants to topple internationally recognised Somali government has carried out several deadly attacks in Somalia’s main towns.

In less than a week, the group attacked three towns with explosions killing over fifty people and 120 other sustained injures.

Last night  two people were killed in a grenade attack in Mogadishu’s Suka-holaha neighborhood in Heliwa district.

Over nine people killed on Thursday night after four Al-Shabaab fighters attacked popular restaurant alongside Mogadishu’s offshore.

Al-Shabaab was driven from the capital city in 2011 by Somali and AU troops.

Despite the well organised offensives by Somali forces backed AU troops,  the group still controls large swath of rural areas in south and central Somalia.