MOGADISHU, Somalia – Heavy fighting broke out between Somali army forces and Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab fighters near Hudur town, some 302 kilometers (188 mi) northwest of Somali capital Mogadishu.
The gun battle flared up when Somali military forces launched an attack on bases controlling under Al Shabaab near the town, leaving three militants dead, a military officer, Nour Hussein said.
“We have killed 3 militants in an operation near Hudur town, we are still pursuing other militants who escaped with injuries”, he said.
Hussein added that the military forces would continue targeting key area under control of Al Shabaab.
“We want to join in other military operations against Al Shabaab, which are ongoing in south and central of Somalia, in a bid to eradicate the group’s fighters”, he said.
There was no immediate response from the group over the military claims.
