Somali forces kill 20 Al-Shabaab fighters in southern Somalia

A Somali military official said Wednesday government forces killed at least 20 Al-Shabaab fighters in a heavy battle in a village near Garbaharey town in Gedo region, southern Somalia.

Isma'il Abdi, military officer in Gedo region, told Xinhua that at least 20 militants were killed by government troops in an attack on Al-Shabaab base in Burgadud village in the region.

"At least 20 Al-Shabaab fighters died in the attack, and 30 of them were also injured. We destroyed their base during the fighting and seized weapons,"said the officer.

"We have lost nine soldiers. Two senior government officials are among the dead people," he added.

According to Abdi, the Al-Shabaab fighters fled the village and government forces are completely in control of the village, noting that they will continue the military operation in the region.

Local residents told Xinhua that the fighting lasted for six hours and there was heave gunfire exchange.

"Government forces attacked Al-Shabaab military base in our village, and the fighting between the two sides was very fierce; now everything become normal," local villagerJama Ibrahim told Xinhua.