At least six people including al-Shabaab fighters have been killed and over ten others injured in a fierce fighting between locals and al-Shabaab in central Somalia.
Ahmed Dahir Moalim, Ba’adweyne chief told that al-Shabaab fighters stormed Shabeelow village in Mudug region, prompting hours of heavy clashes with locals.
Despite wording off al-Shabaab fighters, the fighting caused casualties on both sides with the majority being the villagers.
“They have defeated al-Shabaab fighters but you can guess when fighting breaks out in home, there should more casualties. The tension is high still, al-Shabaab is suspected to regroup its fighters to attack the village,” he said.
Moalim also confirmed that Somali military dispatch reinforcement to area to defend the civilians.
“There is reinforcement from Ba’adweyne town to back th locals who took up arms against al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab wants to impose forceful tax on the local whose livestock and farms devastated by drought,” he confirmed.
Locals in central Somalia have recently been engaging in deadly gunfight with Al-Shabaab fighters, causing displacement of women and children from the homes.
Mid last month, 16 people were killed and homes torched after al-Shabaab fighters clashed with local militias in this village.
Chief of Shabelow village, Mohamed Ibrahim said eight of the residents and 10 al-Shabaab fighters killed in the fighting.
The militant group briefly captured and torched houses before withdrawing.
