Photo: Capital FM

Al Shabaab militia (file photo): Since the fighters were ejected from the capital a year ago, they've sustained dramatic losses in central and southern Somalia - their traditional bastion.

Afmadow, Somalia — Somali and African Union forces battled with Al Shabaab forces in the town of Birta Dheer 70 kms away from the Al Shabaab controlled port city of Kismayo, Garowe Online reports.

Somali government forces and Raskamboni militia alongside Kenyan forces battled Al Shabaab furiously leading to over 16 deaths and more than 30 injuries Wednesday morning.

Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces stated that the operation on an Al Shabaab post in the district of Afmadow in the lower Jubba region was successful leading to the deaths of over 16 Al Shabaab militants although he did not speak about government casualties.

Sources indicate that the Somali forces that were battling Al Shabaab Wednesday morning were assisted by Kenyan planes.

The Al Shabaab had many defensive posts in the district Afmadow one being Birta Dheer which was reportedly captured on Wednesday.

The Raskamboni militia stated this morning that they had destroyed Al Shabaab posts in the town of Agah Libah which is located in Afmadow district.

Spokesman for Al Shabaab stated this morning that they had successfully repelled an attack by the allied forces in the Afmadow district adding that they had pushed back the allied forces.

Independent sources have not verified any accounts made by the allied forces or Al Shabaab.

However our local sources say that the battle on Wednesday did push Al Shabaab further east towards Kismayo.

The onslaught on Al Shabaab in the lower Jubba region has intensified recently as unexplained delays has pushed back the conquering of Kismayo by August set by the Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga.