Somalia: 43 killed in insurgent fighting in lower Jubba, Gedo regions

  

MOGADISHU (NNN-GAROWE) -- At least 43 people have been killed and 77 wounded in days of fighting in southern Somalia’s Lower Jubba and Gedo regions this week, Radio Garowe reports.

Heavy fighting rocked towns in Gedo region, neighboring the Kenyan border. The fighting was between pro-government militias nominally allied to the UN-recognized TFG administration in Mogadishu and Al Shabaab insurgents.

At least 28 people including many civilians were killed in two days of fightings on Sept 28 and of fighting in Beled Hawo and Luuq towns of Gedo region, sources added. More than 47 persons were wounded during the armed clashes

Pro-government militias maintain control of both towns after Al Shabaab insurgents retreated, according to local sources.

Separately, on Sept 30, more than 1,200 Al Shabaab insurgents attacked Dhobley town in Lower Jubba region. More than 15 people were killed and 30 wounded during the heavy fighting between insurgents and pro-government militias led by Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe) and the Ras Kamboni fighters.

Local sources confirm that Ras Kamboni fighters, who are nominally allied to the TFG, tactically retreated from Dhobley town only to retake the town from Al Shabaab insurgents.

Southern Somalia is embroiled in decades of lawlessness and violence, but since 2007 a bloody insurgency has led further instability that threatens the entire Horn of Africa region. -- NNN-GAROWE