At least 19 civilians killed in Al-Shabab attack in Somalia

The armed group launched an attack on the Hyran area in the semi-autom state of Hirsalbell in central Somalia. Trucks were transporting food supplies from the town of Baladway in the town of Mahas, residents said on Saturday.

The terrorists slaughtered innocent civilians who were traveling last night. We don't have the exact number of victims, but 19 dead bodies have gathered”, Abdulahi Hared told the AFP news agency.

The lifeless bodies are still gathering, including women and children. They could be more than 20”, said Ali Yette, governor of the Hiran region, where the attack occurred.

State news agency Sonna reported that Al-Shabab fighters set fire to trucks and <x0... killed most people aboard the”, Al Jazeea reports.

Al-Shabab in a statement said they were targeting the warriors of a local clan that recently helped government forces and that they killed 20 <x0mics and those who were transporting materials for them”, destroying nine of their vehicles.

The group linked to Al-Qaeda has been battling the Somalia central government for more than a decade. It wants to establish its rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law.

The group often carried out attacks with weapons, bombs and other attacks on military and civilian targets.

Last month more than 20 people were killed in an attack in which Al-Shabab fighters attacked the Hotel “Hayat” in Mogadishu, triggering a 30-hour battle while government troops sought to end the siege and release the hostages.