22 Somalia soldiers killed in al-Shabaab attack

Militant group, al-Shabaab, attacked and recaptured a town in Somali’s Middle Shabelle region early yesterday morning, killing 22 Somali soldiers, an official told VOA on condition of anonymity.

The militants claimed that they had killed more than 32 soldiers, including a senior military officer in the town of Runirgood, a day after the town had fallen to government forces.

The commander of Somali’s 12th sector, Mohamed Mohamud Sanay told VOA that his soldiers were ambushed and eight of them were killed, while his forces killed 12 al-Shabaab militants. The commander said a senior officer was wounded and is now missing.

A Somalia official, who asked not to be named, told VOA the death toll among soldiers was 22 and 10 others were missing and feared to be captured by the militants.

Witnesses said the militants used a suicide car bomb in the assault and seized at least three military vehicles.