20111006
presstv
Thirty-nine people, including civilians, have been killed in clashes between Somali troops and al-Shabab fighters in the southern Gedo region, Press TV reports.



On Thursday, 23 Somali soldiers were killed in clashes with al-Shaba fighters on the outskirts of Garbahaarrey, the capital of Gedo, Press TV correspondent in Mogadishu reported.

Witnesses said 16 Somali civilians were killed during the fighting.

Dozens of al-Shabab fighters were also killed in the incident and Somali troops destroyed four vehicles of the group, a Somali official told Press TV.

Meanwhile, the al-Shabab group warned of intensified attacks against the US-backed puppet government in regions of southern Somalia.

Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.