MOGADISHU,Somalia

An unknown number of people are feared dead following an al-Shabaab attack on Somali forces at Afgoye town, some 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from the capital Mogadishu.

Initial reports indicated that the militants first detonated a bomb before a fierce small arms gunfire battle with U.S.-trained special forces.

Abdirizak Mohamed, the former minister of internal security and a current MP, said in a statement that “the SNA (Somali National Army) were ambushed at Bululu village approximately 5 km from Afgoye district.”

Mohamed also said he was reported civilian casualties.

Al-Shabab was pushed back from the area, while two troops sustained injuries and were taken to Mogadishu, he added.

Locals told Anadolu Agency over phone that the militants used an explosive device to initiate the attack.

On Dec. 28, 2019, at least 85 people -- including two Turkish nationals -- were killed and more than 150 others wounded in a truck explosion in Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for that attack.