Jowhar — Fighting erupted at the airport of Jowhar which situates 10 KM away from the town between Somali government forces aided by AMISOM troops and Al Shabaab militants on Sunday night, Garowe Online reports.

Local reports say that Al Shabaab fighters attacked the airport of Middle Shabelle regional capital of Jowhar 90 KMs northwest of Mogadishu and in response to militants attacked the airport, the Somali government and AMISOM forces repulsed Al Shabaab attack on Jowhar airport.

Reliable sources in Jowhar confirmed to Garowe Online that the dead included four people from the opposing sides.

Gen. Mohamed Mohamud Saney, the commander of Somali army's second division stationed in Middle Shabelle region told the media that they killed members of Al Shabaab militants in the battle and some others were wounded.

"We repulsed the attack on our bases, I can say the battle was planned ambush but we foiled it and Al Shabaab fled with injuries,' Said Gen. Saney.

On the other hand, a spokesman for Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab group said they have targeted the allied forces' military bases and reached their goal.

Jowhar is agriculture-rich district and former Al Shabaab stronghold. Somali government forces backed by AMISOM troops liberated it from Al Shabaab militants in December 2012.

Federal Govt vows tougher security Measures:

Somali Federal Government's Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunication Abdullahi IL Moge Hirsi talked about the worsening security situation of Mogadishu on Monday.

He said a security plan for curbing Mogadishu security is underway as the capital city has been experiencing suicide attacks, deadly bombings and assassinations targeting government officials and civilians.

"The government is designing a new plan to tighten the security of Mogadishu, we want to operate Special Forces to tackle the ongoing security problems and they will fight against the insecurity," Mr. Hirsi added.

Mogadishu has been a scene for violence for the past three months as Al Shabaab extremists claimed the responsibility of the latest incidents including attacks on UN compounds in Mogadishu and Mortar Shells and assassinations targeting the presidential palace and the government officials respectively.

Armed gunmen recently killed the Deputy Commissioner of Yaqshid district Rahmo Dahir Siad and the government said investigations are underway.

GAROWE ONLINE