Somali army kills 16 al-Shabaab fighters

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - At least 16 al-Shabaab fighters were killed in Somalia after Somali special forces backed by Turkey trained forces attacked al-Shabaab positions in the region, state media said on Sunday.

The attack took place on al-Shabaab positions near the town of Awdhegle in Lower Shabelle region, according state owned radio.

Somali National Army (SNA) have confirmed the operation and casualty toll in a statement posted on Twitter.

“The 66th battalion while on active patrol today laid an ambush and killed 16 insurgents around Awdegle”, the SNA said in a statement.

At least 4 al-Shabaab militants were killed by the Somali military last Wednesday after fighters from the group had attacked a military post in Awdhegle town, Lower Shabelle region.

Somali special forces backed by African Union forces (AMISOM) in Somalia retook on Tuesday the strategic town of Awdhegle located 70 kilometers (43 miles) Southern Somali capital Mogadishu.

Somali Special forces known as Danab backed by Turkey trained units and African Union forces in Somalia (AMISOM) liberated the strategic agricultural town of Awdhegle from al-Shabaab last week.

Awdhegle is located 70 kilometers (43 miles) southwest of Somali capital Mogadishu.