11 killed in clashes between al-Shabaab, Somali army

MOGADISHU, Somalia

At least 11 people were killed in clashes between Somali troops backed by African Union forces and al-Shabaab militants in southern Somalia, local residents have told Anadolu Agency.

The clashes took place on Sunday night when al-Shabaab militants attacked a village which was under the control of Somali government troops in the Bay region, Mahmoud Moussa, a village dignitary said.

Eleven people, including civilians, were killed in the violence and many others were injured, Moussa added.

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.

The Somali army and the UN’s AMISOM forces repelled al-Shabaab fighters outside the village. Both sides used heavy weapons during the clash, local residents said.

Meanwhile, African Union forces who will replace Ugandan troops in Somalia arrived at the country’s capital on Sunday, the Somali National News Agency reports.

Last month Uganda announced that it would pull out its troops from Somalia. The East African country had the largest peacekeeping force in Somalia.

MOGADISHU, Somalia

At least 11 people were killed in clashes between Somali troops backed by African Union forces and al-Shabaab militants in southern Somalia, local residents have told Anadolu Agency.

Eleven people, including civilians, were killed in the violence and many others were injured, Moussa added.

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.

The Somali army and the UN’s AMISOM forces repelled al-Shabaab fighters outside the village. Both sides used heavy weapons during the clash, local residents said.

Meanwhile, African Union forces who will replace Ugandan troops in Somalia arrived at the country’s capital on Sunday, the Somali National News Agency reports.

Last month Uganda announced that it would pull out its troops from Somalia. The East African country had the largest peacekeeping force in Somalia.