(Sh.M.Network)- A witness says Al shabab fighters have launched an attack on Somali and Æthiopian troops in Yurkut village which locates near the border between Bay and Gedo regions of southwestern Somalia.The fighting broke out when Al shabab fighters armed with heavy and small weapons ambushed a convoy of vehicles carrying Somali and Æthiopian forces in Yurkud village, sparking face-to-face confrontation.
Residents in the two nearest villages say they heard kabooms and gun fire which they believe to be an indication of heavy fighting
... as opposed to the more usual light or desultory fighting...
erupted in Yurkud on Thursday afternoon.
"The fighting is now over and (the Al-Shabaab
... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...
) have been heavily repelled during the attack and many of their fighters were killed by the coalition forces," said Isac Gees-dheer, ASWJ official who gave an interview to Shabelle Media.
Shabelle Media cannot independently confirm the casualties of the warring sides, but ASWJ claims victory.
Somali government and Al shabab are yet to comment on the battle. Yurkut is a key position on the supply line for Æthiopian forces in Bay and Gedo region of southwestern Somalia.
Al shabab which merged Al Qaeda early this year continues to carry out attacks on Æthiopian, AMISOM and Somali troops despite the group was pushed out from several towns they controlled in south and central Somalia.