Wednesday 14th June 2017

Somali government forces, backed by AU and US soldiers have launched Saturday an offensive against Al shabaab militants in Lower Shabelle region, south of Somalia.

The region's officials confirmed to Radio Shabelle, the start of the fresh military operation, which them said is aimed to flush out Al shabaab from their remaining pockets.

The coalition forces began their offensive at Mubarak, Beled-amin and other nearby small towns, where they fought off Al shabaab fighters for several hours early on Saturday morning.

Read more from Shabelle Media Network here.

Al-Shabaab fighters have been waging an insurgency in southern Somalia. Photo/Hamza Mohamed.