Al Shabaab fighters took over a key Somali military base in Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia following an overnight attack, reports said.
Somali army soldiers vacated Muri town, after facing a daring midnight gun attack from Al Shabaab militants. The raid inflicted heavy losses on both sides.
A resident who did not want to be named, told IdaleNews.com over the phone that heavily armed Al Shabaab militants seized briefly the city before retreating.
The militants have set a blaze on several houses accommodated Somali military commanders and abducted three villagers during the seizure of Muri town.
The whereabouts of the abducted residents and tehir location is not clear.
