Al-Shabab fighters in Somalia (file photo)
Clashes between government soldiers backed by African Union forces and al-Shabab fighters have left at least 24 people dead in southern part of Somalia.
At least 24 people were killed on Wednesday evening after clashes broke out between al-Shabab fighters and the transitional government troops in Dhobley and Elwak towns near the border with Kenya, a Press TV correspondent reported.
Most of those killed were members of anti-government al-Shabab group while scores of people were also injured during the deadly clashes.
Al-Shabab fighters had controlled Dhobley town in Lower Jubba region since January 2009. However, it fell under pro-government militia Ahlu Sunna Waljama's control last week.
Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
Over the past two decades, up to one million people have been killed in Somalia in the fighting between rival factions and also due to famine and disease.
There are more than 1.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Somalia, with over 300,000 of them sheltering in Mogadishu alone.
Most of the displaced live in poor and degrading conditions on makeshift camps in southern and central Somalia, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
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