Al Shabaab spokesman Abdiasis Abu Musab said the group's fighters left the town after releasing 35 prisoners from the local jail. According to the military official, at least 10 soldiers and seven al Shabaab militants were killed, though the death toll on both sides could still rise. Formed in 2006, Al Shabaab wants to topple the Western-backed government and impose its strict interpretation of Islam. Al Shabaab carry out frequent attacks on security and government targets, but also on civilians. "Now Balad Hawo is calm and government forces fully control it," Ahmed Hassan, a resident of the town told Reuters.

Source: The Star September 11, 2017 09:56 UTC