Somali military repulses al-Shabaab terrorist attack, kills 47

MOGADISHU, Somalia

Somali forces backed by Galmudug regional forces on Friday repulsed an attack by al-Shabaab terrorist organization on a major military base in central Somalia.

A total of 47 terrorists were killed in the operation, Somali military radio said quoting officials.

Al-Qaeda-backed al-Shabaab launched the attack in Bahdo, a small town located 632 kilometers (392 miles) from the capital Mogadishu.

Residents told Anadolu Agency loud explosions were heard and the fight went on for hours.

"Both sides used heavy weaponry and I saw dead soldiers as well as civilians. This attack was the fiercest," said a resident and eyewitness who spoke to Anadolu Agency over the phone on condition of anonymity.

Al-Qaeda-affiliated group al-Shabaab, which has been fighting against the Somali government and African Union forces for more than 10 years, has tried to seize the strategic towns of the country, including Bahda town that witnessed several al-Shabaab attacks previously.

The group claimed responsibility for the Friday attack.