Mogadishu: At least 50 people were killed and more than 40 others wounded after Al-Shabab fighters took over Kudha town in the Southern Somalia from the Raskamboni militia, officials confirmed Sunday.
The coastal town of Kudha, which is close to the Somalia-Kenya border, is an important makeshift port for Al-Shabab. The Raskamboni militia loyal to Jubba administration had captured it from the Al-Shabab two weeks ago, Xinhua reported.
Yusuf Mohamed Hussein, a spokesman of Jubba administration, confirmed that Al-Shabab fighters launched a heavy offensive overnight Saturday and took over the town.
Hussein argued that though his forces retreated from the town for military tactics, they will return to it and the fighting will continue as long as Al-Shabab fighters remain in the area.
On the other hand, Al-Shabab military spokesman Sheikh Abdulaziz Abu Musab claimed that his fighters killed 63 soldiers and captured Kudha town from them.
Locals confirmed that fighters from both side and innocent civilians lost lives during the fighting that was going on for roughly 4 hours.