MOGADISHU, Somalia – casualties reported on Monday after Somali special forces started fighting against heavily armed troops loyal to a wanted security minister of Jubaland, Abdirashid Janan in Balad hawo town.
Janan, who was on the run, has been hiding into small neighborhood in Balad Hawo, a town in Gedo region, west of Somalia and shares border with Kenya.
Monday’s battle flared up shortly after the special forces of Somalia attempted to arrest the fugitive Minister Janan, a police officer said on condition of anonymity.
He says several people were killed by stray bullets in the town.
He said the special forces and Janan’s troops were using heavy weaponries, forcing residents to start fleeing from their homes.
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Heavy artillery shells landed into residential areas in the town, said a local resident.
It is too early to say the exact figure of casualties.
Somali journalist Khadar Hared says the situation remain intense as the fighting still continue in the town.
Hared says on his Twitter there have been casualties on civilians and warring parties.
Residential house were destroyed in the ongoing clash, he said.
Heavy burst of gunfire could still be heard through the town.
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