Bossaso(SD)-Mohamed Gedi Salah, the chairman of Af-urur district in Bari region, reported heavy fighting this morning between Puntland forces and Al-Shabaab militia in the area.

The governor said al-Shabaab threw mortar shells at the Puntland defense forces in Af-urur early this morning, the army then responded with a heavy attack, and a fierce battle ensued between the two sides about 8km from Af-Urur.

He also said that al-Shabaab militants who were rebuffed, and suffered casualties there, adding that they were seen collecting bodies so that the casualties were not visible.

The governor also confirmed that the bodies of two Puntland soldiers were brought to Af-Urur area and three others were slightly injured.