Al-Shabaab attacks town near the Somali capital

Al-Shabaab fighters have taken control of Bal’ad district in the region this morning, after a brief battle with government forces.

The militants have reportedly infiltrated the neighborhoods of the district after overpowering the government troops.

The sources added that during the fighting several villages were hit by mortar shells and five people were injured.

The situation is now tense, and there has been no word from government officials or the HirShabelle administration regarding the fighting.

Balad is about 35 km from Mogadishu and is an important link between the capital and the Somali regional state of Hir Shabelle.