Nairobi, Kenya (HOL) - At least 17 people were killed on Wednesday in Bohol-Bashiir village some 27km East of Luuq town in Somalia’s southern region of Gedo following a bloody battle between the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) and Al-Shabaab fighters.
At least 35 others sustained wounds as the fighting that lasted for several hours was one of the bloodiest yet in recent days. It is a part of a new offensive where both the TFG and opposition Islamists fight for the control of the remote region.
The latest battle also comes barely a week after another fierce fighting in Bohol-Bashir when Al-shabaab fighters surprisingly attacked the settlement with heavy artillery bombardments.
A military official of the TFG told the local press that government forces have gunned down at least 15 Al-Shabaab militants. The official added that his side had lost only one soldier. There are no immediate reports confirming the government position as of Thursday.
The top command of Al-Shabaab are yet to give an account of the ongoing offensive as local sources told HOL that several wounded militants from both sides have been admitted into the local hospital in Luuq.
Bohol-Bashir has been a stronghold of Islamist Al-Shabaab who had reportedly left their military positions following the fierce battle that was ongoing for more than five hours.
Resident told HOL that a military build is ongoing in the periphery of the settlement where sporadic fighting is yet to subside.
On Saturday June 18th at least four people were killed and scores of others wounded following a similar fighting between government forces and Al-Shabaab.
Renewed military activity in much of Southern Somalia is claiming more lives every passing day. The beleaguered TFG fights an all-out clash against Al-Shabaab in a series of battles spread in many parts of the Horn of Africa nation.
