Clashes in Somalia kill four, wound several

Press TV
Monday, February 27, 2012

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At least four people have been killed and several others injured in the latest clashes between Somali government forces backed by Ethiopian troops and al-Shabab fighters in Bakool region, Press TV reports.

Somali government officials say the al-Shabab fighters launched a surprise attack on their bases in the southwestern town of Eelbarde on Sunday, leading to exchange of heavy fire, a Press TV correspondent reported.

“Al-Shabab attacked our forces early today morning. We killed 3 al-shabab rebels while one of our soldiers died in the fighting,” Somali military official, Muktar Hassan Yarow said.

Meanwhile, al-Shabab official in Bakool region claimed that they destroyed the bases in the town.

Somalia has been without an effective central government and descended into chaos since 1991, when warlords overthrew former junta ruler Mohamed Siad Barre.

The weak Western-backed transition government, propped by a 12,000-strong African Union force from Uganda, Burundi and Djibouti, has been battling al-Shabab fighters for the past five years.

Somalia is one of the countries generating the highest number of refugees and internally displaced people in the world.

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