Baku-APA. African union peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said on Thursday that 24 militants were killed including three foreign fighters after its troops and local forces foiled an Al-Shabaab planned attacks in southern city of Afmadow, APA reports quoting Xinhua.
The AU mission said in a statement issued from their Headquarters in Mogadishu that attacks were thwarted by allied AMISOM troops and forces of the Somali government on Wednesday evening.
"During the late afternoon engagement, twenty four Al-Shabaab militias were killed among them three identified foreign fighters. Other militias escaped with multiple injuries and are being pursued by the allied forces," the statement said.
AMISOM said its troops in support of Somali National Army raided an Al-Shabaab elite group planning to attack defensive position of the forces in Afmadhow city in southern Somalia.
The mission said the joint forces captured weapons and ammunition including a rocket propelled grenade launcher, two light machine guns, nine AK 47 rifles and other assorted equipment.
Two Somali soldiers died and four others were slightly injured and are being treated at AMISOM facility in the area, it added.
AU commission representative for Somalia Mahamat Saleh Annadif congratulated the forces "on their alertness" and speedy response which he said had saved lives.
Annadif also thanked local civilians for tipping off the soldiers on the possible attack.
A number of militants escaped with multiple injuries and were being pursued by the allied AMISOM and Somali government forces in the area, the AU Somalia mission's statement said.
Al-Shabaab militants have recently escalated their attacks on Somali government forces and AU peacekeepers in the horn of Africa country particularly during the now ended holy month of Ramadan.
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