Lawmaker: At Least 17 Killed in Somalia Fighting

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

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

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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