Hiiraan Online
Tuesday December 26, 2017
FILE PHOTO
Mogadishu (HOL) - Al-Shabab militants have attacked Afgooye town, 30km South of the capital, continuing their recent escalation of attacks against government institutions.
On Monday night, the militants raided two checkpoints manned by government soldiers prompting half an hour clash between the militants and the security forces.
Mohamed Hassan, a local journalist in the area confirmed the attack saying Al-Shabaab fighters were repelled by the security forces.
"Al-Shabaab attacked the town from different sides. The security forces and the group's fighters engaged brief fighting. After fierce resistance from the forces, Al-Shabaab retreated," said Hassan Who spoke to Hiraan Online.
The local administration of the town is yet to comment on the incident.
Al-Shabaab claimed on a pro-Al-Shabaab website that its fighters killed several soldiers in a midnight raid on Afgooye.
In January this year, the group seized police station in the same town after its fighters attacked the town from several directions.
Afgooye which is agricultural town and connects the capital city to the Southern towns was once Al-Shabaab stronghold before the allied forces captured it.
The groups are carrying out hit and run attacks in major towns under the Somali government and deadly explosion in the city.