Many killed in Somali army clash with militants

Clashes between Somali government forces and militants from the Al-Shabaab insurgent group on Monday may have left dozens dead, according to accounts given later by both sides.

The Al-Qaeda-linked group has been fighting the government for two decades and still controls large swathes of central Somalia despite a massive international operation against it.

It said it launched an attack on Monday afternoon on Turkish-trained government troops and an allied militia in the Lower Shabelle region, resulting in the deaths of 321 troops.

The defence ministry responded on Tuesday that federal troops killed 75 Al-Shabaab militants and wounded 56 others during the assault, which took place near the city of Leego.

"The Somali National Army, conducting Operation Banooda, launched a major assault lasting several hours on 26 October against Al-Shabaab positions in Jameeca," the ministry said.

Source: Citizen Digital