Al-shabaab ambush kills three soldiers in Afgooye

[Deeq A.]

At least three soldiers were killed and several others were injured after a hand grenade bomb  were hurled at SNA convoy passing near a restaurant in Afgooye town, 30km north of Somali capital Mogadishu, officials and residents said Saturday.

The soldiers were on patrol in one of Afgooye’s suburbs when they came under the attack, according to local authorities in the area.

Afgooye district commissioner, Abdinasir Alimow confirming the incident said Alshabaab hit the squad on Friday night attacking the soldiers during a patrol which led casualties.

“The attack happened on Friday. Somali soldiers who were travelling in Land-Cruiser vehicle have been attacked with a hand grenade bomb, there are casualties,” said Alimow.

Hassan Mohamed, a local journalist in Afgoye said three soldiers died in the explosion.

“Unknown assailants hurled hand grenade bomb on a moving SNA vehicle, three soldiers died on the spot and several others were taken to the hospital with varying injuries,” Hassan confirmed.

Alshabaab fighters have been carrying out attacks against government forces in recent weeks The group launched two deadly raids on SNA bases in Lower Jubba and Shabelle regions in the last two day.

Alshabaab wants to impose its own radical brand of Islam on Somalia by deposing Somalia’s federal government.