)
Reports from Lower Jubba region in southern Somalia indicate that at least eight people were killed and more than ten injured as Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops, Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) and pro-government militias of Ras Kamboni, fought more than two times against al-Shabaab insurgents in Qoqani district late Saturday.
According to local residents and officials, the fighting erupted when al-Shabaab fighters launched hit and run attacks on the allied forces bases.
“First, al-Shabaab militias shelled Kenyan bases and then direct combat erupted about 12:00am local time (2100GMT) and continued for more than two hours,” Sharmarke Hassan Sheikh in Qoqani told Somalia Report.
“About 5:00am, al-Shabaab launched another attack, which continued until morning. This morning, I saw the bodies of eight fighters lying on the outskirts of Qoqani,” he added.
TFG military officials in Lower Jubba region confirmed the fighting to Somalia Report, but refused to make any further comments.
Al-Shabaab administration in the region has declared that they will renew their fighting against the allied forces and thousands of new fighters have arrived in the area.
“We are appreciate the Mujahideen military for their support to Lower and middle Jubba people. Hundreds of reinforcement troops led by General Sheikh Fidow have reached our area and will work hard to liberate the enemy from the region,” an al-Shabaab officer in Kismayo told Somalia Report on condition of anonymity.
However, TFG and Kenyan forces in Lower Jubba recently seized strategic districts and villages from al-Shabaab, including one of the largest al-Shabaab military camps in southern Somalia, Kudhaa Island.