AFGOOYE (SD) – At least six US-trained Somali soldiers were killed and several others sustained injuries after a military vehicle escorting Lower Shabelle governor motorcade hit by landmine.

The attack happened on Sunday morning at Tihsiile village near Wanlaweyn town of Lower Shabelle region.

Sources said Lower Shabelle governor Abdikadir Mohamed Nur survived the attack and was escorted to Wanlaweyn town.

Among those injured in the attack are two unnamed Danab special forces commanders who are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Afgoye.

No word from Somali military on the incident.

In a statement, al-Shabaab militant group has claimed the responsibility for the attack saying several soldiers were killed in the blast.

The militant also said the attack seriously injured the commander of Danab forces, Ahmed Abdullahi Nur.