By Mohamed Hassan

Afmadow, Somalia

At least seven people were killed and five others wounded in fighting between government forces backed by Kenyan troops and Al-Shabaab on Monday.

Reports indicated the extremist group Al-Shabaab attacked the units in Afmadow, about 70 miles west of the port town of Kismayo in the Lower Jubba region, according to residents.

"It was fierce fighting and heavy gunfire was exchanged," said Mohamed Abdi, a resident.

Government officials in Lower Jubba claimed victory in the fighting but Al-Shabaab officials were not available to comment.

On Sunday, at least four people, including an Al-Shabaab fighter, were killed and others wounded in fighting between Islamic militants against local militias in the Ad-Adey settlement in the Middle Shabelle region.

"One of the Al-Shabaab fighters has badly beaten an old women for not abiding strict rules imposed recently by insurgents," said a resident in the Ad-Adey settlement who requested his name not to be mentioned for safety .

 

Explosion Kills Nine in Mogadishu

Mogadishu, Somalia

Nine people were killed and nine others wounded in an explosion in the Wadajir district of Mogadishu, witnesses said Tuesday.

"Many of the dead were youth and parts of human bodies were seen scattered in the area after the explosion," said Asad Mohamed , a resident in Wadajir.

"Those injured, some of them serious, were hustled to the hospitals," he added.

The explosion, believed to be from a landmine, reportedly targeted Ahmed Da'i, a Wadajir commissioner who sustained a leg injury in a previous landmine attack.

Neither officials of the Wadajir district administration nor the Transitional Federal Government were available for comment.

No one has claimed responsibility for this latest attack.

The attack comes on the same day that Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali said that his government is committed to promote and restore security in the capital.

"Residents in the capital should cooperate with the security forces to fight against the troublemakers whose aim is to destabilize the country," said the premier while visiting several police stations in Mogadishu.

"Members of the police forces will be paid and will receive their monthly salaries as soon as possible as well as trainings to improve their skill," said the prime minister.

 

World - Government Clash With al-Shabaab Claims at Least Seven | Global Viewpoint