Somali Govt soldiers backed by Ethiopian troops of AMISOM contingent have engaged a fierce gun battle with Al shabaab fighters near the central town of Beledweyne, the regional capital of Hiiraan on Saturday.
The confrontation began when Ethiopian troops advanced on Bo’ame village, to capture it from Al shabaab fighters who have ruled the area for years, according to reliable military sources.
Confirming the battle, Col Muse Hassan Abdulle who is a senior Somali army commander in the region said the allied troops have killed several militants in the clashes.
Abdulle stated that SNA and AMISOM troops took the area from Al shabaab, following the attack which forces militants to flee their stronghold.
Over the past few weeks, Somali troops, with the support of AMISOM forces have been launching attacks on Al shabaab bases in central Somalia, to regain control of the territories under the militants.
