Somalia

Government offensive fells about 20

Article published on the 2009-08-20 Latest update 2009-08-20 14:22 TU

Pro-government Somali militiamen in Mogadishu, 19 August 2009.
(Photo: Reuters/Omar faruk)

A fresh offensive by pro-government forces against extremist Shebab fighters in central Somalia killed at least 21 people on Thursday. The attack was launched in the town of Bulobarde, about 200 kilometres north of Mogadishu.

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Bulobarde, had been in hands of the Shebab rebel group, an Al Qaeda-inspired organisation.

Several local residents and officials told the French news agency, AFP, that they had counted at least 21 bodies, and said that the fighting was continuing at around midday on Thursday..

A day before, on Wednesday, at least two people were killed when the Shebab rebel group recaptured Bulohawo town, said local officials and residents. The town, which had been sits on the border with Kenya had been in government hands just two days earlier.