Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Captain Abdi Siraad Ali, a Somali military officer, told Press TV that 21 al-Shabab fighters and 15 commanders of the anti-government militant group were killed on Wednesday following intense fighting in Balad town of Middle Shabelle region.
Meanwhile, 15 Somali soldiers have been killed after an improvised explosive device, which had been buried under the ground, exploded as government troops backed by African Union forces fought against al-Shabab fighters near Heyle Barrise base in the northern sector of Mogadishu.
Thousands of local residents are also fleeing for their lives in the wake of bloody battles in northern Mogadishu.
Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991 when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.