Marka (AGGM) – Heavy fighting broke out between African Union troops and Al Shabaab fighters in south of Somalia, leaving several people dead.
The fighting started with roadside explosion hit armored vehicle carrying (AMISOM) troops while travelling in El-waregow area near Marka town, some 109km southwest of Mogadishu.
Both sides used heavy and slight weapons during the fighting, according to local residents on Thursday.
Somali-based group Al Shabaab claimed to have burned down an armored personnel carrier belonging to African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops during Thursday fighting.
The group says on its website that its fighters killed and injured several soldiers from African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
There was no immediate response from the African Union mission in Somalia over the claims made by Al Shabaab.
The armed fighters often carry out roadside explosions and ambush attacks on Somali army troops, along with African Union forces in south and central Somalia.
