10 killed as Al-Shabaab attacks town in Somalia

At least ten people including three Al-Shabaab fighters were killed and several other injured in an attack by militants in southern Somalia port city of Barawe early Thursday.

Barawe district Commissioner, Aden Omar Madobe said three militants, four government soldiers and three civilians were killed during the dawn fighting between the Somalia national Army (SNA) and Al-Shabaab.

Madobe told reporters that the fighting erupted after Al-Shabaab militants attacked SNA military bases in the town, but were defeated a few hours past midnight.

"Al-Shabaab militants attacked the town overnight and heavy fighting between SNA and Al-Shabaab fighters ensued. It caused casualties, three Al-Shabaab militants were killed in the battle. They later fled the scene and PKM gun was recovered. We lost four soldiers and three civilians," he added.

The commissioner said that the militants did not capture the town, but admitted that they were very organized. The attack is the latest in string of periodic assaults by the insurgents who are fighting to topple the Western-backed government.

Al-Shabaab militants claimed victory, saying they killed 15 government soldiers and burned three armed vehicles during the confrontation that last for about two hours in Barawe.

The allied forces operate in the region, in particular, the port town of Barawe despite Al-Shabaab attempt to capture it or wage attacks.

The latest incident comes after seven people were killed in a suicide attack in Mogadishu on Tuesday hours after Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire announced his cabinet.