News / Africa

Lawmaker: At Least 17 Killed in Somalia Fighting

Relatives pray for the bodies of seven people killed during a raid by Islamists in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, May 8, 2012. Relatives pray for the bodies of seven people killed during a raid by Islamists in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, May 8, 2012.
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Relatives pray for the bodies of seven people killed during a raid by Islamists in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, May 8, 2012.
Relatives pray for the bodies of seven people killed during a raid by Islamists in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, May 8, 2012.
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VOA News

A Somali lawmaker said at least 17 fighters with militant group al-Shabab have been killed in fighting with Ethiopian and Somali government troops.
 

Parliament member Mohamed Mashru told VOA Somali Service the troops attacked an al-Shabab base Wednesday at Agab-Bedey village, near the Somali town of Hudur.


Mashru said he saw the bodies of the al-Shabab fighters lying on the ground after the battle ended.
 

His account has not been independently confirmed.
 

Ethiopian troops are in Somalia as part of a multi-nation, three-pronged campaign against al-Shabab.


Kenyan forces have been fighting the group in southern Somalia, while African Union and Somali government forces have pushed the militants out of the capital, Mogadishu.


Al-Shabab once controlled most of southern and central Somalia but has steadily lost ground in the past 18 months.


The militant group, which is allied with al-Qaida, continues to carry out suicide attacks in Mogadishu and retains control of some parts of Somalia.

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