ESAT News (November 16, 2016)

The death toll of Somali government soldiers killed in Tuesday’s attack in Tiyeglow town has jumped to 20, while scores have been wounded, Sebelle news quoted its sources as saying.

Reports said Al Shabaab militants have completely regained control of Tiyeglow, which lies west of Bakool region, after pushing Somali National Army and South West state forces out of the town.

A bomber rammed his explosives-laden car at military barracks at the entrance of Tiyeglow, before heavily armed fighters fought their way inside the town and engaged deadly gunfire with the army, according to the report.

The allied troops were forced to withdraw from the city after they were overpowered in the battle, according to military sources. There have been sporadic clashes outside the town throughout the night.

The Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab militants have on Tuesday retaken Tiyeglow town in Bakool after a massive raid, including suicide car bombs, the report said.

The attack which began when asuicide car bomb rammed into a military base at the city’s entrance has led to a fierce gun battle between the militants and Somali troops inside.

Somali government officials, however denied the media reports about the seizure of Tiyeglow town by Al Shabaab militants on Tuesday.