A fight between ATMIS and Alshabab broke out in Lower Shabelle region

Further details are emerging from the fighting between the African transition in Somalia (ATMIS) and Alshabab which took place in Buulo Alow of the Lower Shabelle region. Initial reports say there were casualties on both sides.

Residents told the local media they heard t gunfire exchanged between the two sides. The fighting came after Alshabab attacked a Ugandan military base in the region and claimed to have killed Eight Ugandan soldiers. There are no independent sources who verified the claim.

The Lower Shabelle region remains one of the regions where Alshabab has gained power where it sometimes carried out military attacks against the government and the African Union troops in the lower Shabelle.

The group has been carrying out attacks in Somalia in the last decade and wants to establish an Islamic state in Somalia and across the region including Kenya and Ethiopia. The group clearly stated that it has no plans to open talks with the federal government of Somalia.