By Hiiraan staff writer
Sunday, March 20, 2011
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A fierce fighting between the troops of the Somali army and the Alshabab has broken out in the Somali border town of Dhobley in the early hours of Sunday morning.Reliable reports from the area say that forces loyal to the Transitional Federal Governemt of Somalia, who have recently been stationed along the Kenyan-Somali border, have launched a surprise attack on the bases of the Alshabab in and around Dhobley town, with the fighting said to be one of the heaviest in many months.
The residents of the town are said to be fleeing in different dircetions in droves due to the intensity of the fighting in which heavy weapons have been deployed by both sides. There are also reports that the fighting is getting close to the centre of town after the Alshabab forces have been pushed and routed from the outskirts of Dhobley District.
It is difficult to know the exact number of casualties of the fighting owing to the ferocity of the battle and both sides are reticent on the fighting between them in Dhobley Town, Lower Jubba region of Somalia.
This comes at a time the Alshabab withdrew from Dhiif town about a 120 km from Dhobley on the Kenyan Somali border late yesterday afternoon after the Raaskaambooni group, which is loyal to Sheikh Ahmed Madobe whose forces are allied with those of the Somali Government, took over the town from them.
Unconfirmed reports reaching the Hiiraan online News Desk indicate that the Somali Government forces have wrested much of Dhobley town from Alshabab control.
Any further developments on this news will be made available to you as we get it.