Somalia: 50 killed in bloody battle against Al Shabaab

Somalia: 50 killed in bloody battle against Al Shabaab

10 Mar 10, 2012 - 7:21:39 AM

YURKUD, Somalia Mar 10 2012 (Garowe Online) - At least 50 people have been killed in the latest clashes between Al Shabaab insurgents and Somali and Ethiopian troops.

The clashes sparked after Al Shabaab insurgents stormed the district of Yurkud where Ethiopian and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops were stationed. The Al Shabaab insurgents had surpassed checkpoints set up by the troops and entered the district of Yurkud. The TFG and Ethiopian military received reinforcements after being rooted in the first battle. The reinforcements managed to repel the insurgents and recapture the district after heavy fighting between the two sides.

Local sources say that this is the worst fighting they have seen in the region which was captured by Ethiopian and TFG troops earlier this year. Innocent civilians were caught in the crossfire between the two sides and it is unclear how many were killed. Both the TFG alongside the Eithiopian military and Al Shabaab claim victory in this gruesome battle.

Al Shabaab spokesman Abdiaziz Abu Musab who spoke of the battle in Yurkud said that 73 Ethiopian troops were killed and only 5 of his agents died in battle and 10 others injured.

According to a TFG spokesman who did not specify the casualties on TFG side claim that although the battle in Yurkud was a tough one that TFG and Ethiopian troops managed to kill 80 Al Shabaab agents.

This is has been the bloodiest battle yet that Ethiopian troops have been involved in since they had crossed the border to fight against the Al Shabaab.

Garowe Online -