Al Shabaab briefly seize town from Somali military

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Al Shabaab fighters have briefly seized a key area in Somalia’s southern lower Shabelle region from government troops following a massive gun attack on Saturday afternoon.

Sources told IdaleNews.com, the militants took Lanta Buro district after engaging a fierce gunfight with Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers who later retreated from the area for ‘tactical move.’

On Sunday, Somali military soldiers backed by AMISOM have retaken control of the Lanta Buro after Al shabaab pulled out of the area upon the advance of the allied forces, a resident said by phone.

Al Shabaab said it killed several SNA soldiers in the battle, and military equipment, including weapons and ammunition  during the takeover, a claim that Somali officials denied.

In a separate incident, suspected Al Shabaab fighters have launched an ambush on a convoy carrying Somali forces as they travel outside Afgoye district in the same province. No casualties reported in the attack.