Several al Shabaab militants have been killed and at least a dozen others were wounded after a land mine explosion rocked Somalia’s central town of Beledweyne. Residents say the fighting comes after the Macawiisley militia group attacked al-Shabaab bases on the outskirts of Bulo-Burde, in the Hiiraan region
The militia attacked the al Shabaab camp after Somali government forces withdrew from the town leaving the vulnerable residents at the mercy of the al Shabaab who have since stepped up their tax collecting operations.
The Macawiisley militia has been taking on al Shabaab camps in various parts Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions whenever the SNA withdraws. The SNA in the past weeks has been reported to have withdrawn from key regions and towns prompting the terror organization to move back into the towns negating the gains against the militants.
The Macawiisley militia emerged in 2014, starting in parts of the Hiiraan region in a fierce battle with al-Shabaab. The militia is opposed to the people of the area being taxed by Al Shabaab and the group recruiting their children.
