Allied Forces Avert Militants’ Plot To Carry Out Raid In Hiran

Somali security forces backed by Africa Union troops killed three Al-Shabaab militants and injured several others during a heavy fighting in Bula-burte town in Hiiraan region, central Somalia, Somali authorities said.

Bula-burte District Commissioner Abdi Dahir Gure told reporters that the allied forces preempted militants’ plot to carry out an attack in the town.

“There are no casualties on both the joint forces and civilians so far. The situation is calm now,” Gure said.

Residents in the town said that the fighting began after the militants fired mortar shells early Wednesday.

“Al-Shabaab fighters attacked army base here with mortar shells, then heavy fighting erupted which lasted several hours,” a resident said.

Al-Shabaab militants did not comment on the latest military victory by the security forces.

Bula-burte in Hiiraan region is under Hirshabelle State and it is about 200 km north of the capital Mogadishu.