MOGADISHU, Somalia — Islamist militants killed at least 20 Somali soldiers in an ambush in southern Somalia, a military officer who survived the attack said, as the government acknowledged damage to army vehicles but disclosed no troop casualties.
The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group claimed Monday’s attack near Jameeca village in Burhakaba district, Bay region. Officer Abshir Abdikarim told the Associated Press he saw at least 20 fellow soldiers dead after troops advancing from Leego exchanged heavy gunfire with militants.
Two soldiers told Reuters dozens were killed. One said he helped carry 40 dead soldiers and more than 100 wounded to hospitals in Mogadishu, Reuters reported.
The Defense Ministry said troops killed about 75 militants and wounded 56, and that the militants used explosives-laden vehicles. Al-Shabab claimed it killed 321 soldiers and seized Turkish-supplied armored vehicles. None of the figures could be independently verified.
Some soldiers previously reported missing reached Baledogle on Tuesday, while others remain unaccounted for, the officer said.
Sources: AP, Reuters via Yahoo News
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