MOGADISHU – At least 13 government soldiers have been killed when roadside explosion hit vehicle carrying military soldiers near Somalia’s capital Mogadishu.
Friday’s explosion hit army vehicle near Afgoye town as they heading to Barire town, some 50 km southwest of Mogadishu after 17 soldiers were killed by Al Shabaab in the town.
The victims were among dozens of soldiers, who were heading to reinforce other troops in Barire town, according to local media.
Radio Shabelle quoting sources reported that the blast killed at least 13 soldiers on board near Afgoye town, some 30 south of the capital city of Mogadishu.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the explosion.
Such attacks are often carried out by Somali-based group of Al Shabaab, which is battling Western-backed government based in Mogadishu.
The Shabab fighters fled fixed positions in Mogadishu 2011 and have since lost most large towns to a 22,000-strong UN-backed African Union force, fighting alongside government soldiers.
But the group’s fighters still hold sway in areas of the rural hinterland, from which they regularly launch attacks.
