Al-Shabaab killed nearly 100 government troops

In Somalia, dozens of local fighters have been killed on Wednesday after a deadly firefight against al-Shabaab militants between Wisil and Shabeelow.

The fighting started after senior military and civilian officials who have been at the frontline went to a hill to get a better phone signal, only to be ambushed by al-Shabaab fighters who have been monitoring their movements in recent days.

Sources say as many as 30 local fighters have died in the ensued fighting. Among the dead is a senior military officer, and civilian officials who travelled from Galkayo town to stay with the troops.

Al-Shabaab militants claimed killing 58 people in the fighting and wounded over 70, but these casualty figures have not been independently verified.