At least 19 al-Shabab militants were killed in heavy fighting against government forces near the Basra district in the Middle Shabelle region on Friday.
The fighting occurred in Muryale, a small village between Basra and Bal’ad districts.
Somalia’s Ministry of Security spokesman, Abdikamil Shukri Moalim, stated that the fight comes after forces received information about the militants mobilizing in Muryale village. Still, he did not specify the number of casualties on their side.
Hassan Fanah, the intelligence commander of Mogadishu’s Kahda district, and several government forces were reportedly injured in the fighting.
Last Friday, Mogadishu Police Commissioner Farhan Mohamoud Adan, better known as “Qarole,” was killed in a landmine explosion near the Balad district, 35 kilometres north of Mogadishu.
Somali Government forces have recently carried out heavy operations between Bal’ad and Basra, killing several militants.
