Mogadishu (Sunatimes) Government troops have seized control of Bakara Market, in Mogadishu after government troops and allied forces of Ahlu Sunna Wal-jama backed by the African Union peacekeeping forces in Mogadishu attacked Al-Shabaab militia in the area.

Ahlu Sunna Wal-jama’s Banadir regional commissioner, Ahmed Shuqul Sheikh Adan Dere, told Bar-kulan that their forces and those of the TFG are now in control of Bakara Market, the main Market in the capital, Mogadishu and areas around the market.

Mr. Shuqul also confirmed that they are holding a number of young Al-Shabaab fighters who have defected from the militia and others they captured in the fight.

It is not yet known the casualties resulting from today’s deadly clash in Mogadishu between the government troops, Ahlu Sunna forces and AMISOM on one side and the Al-Shabaab militia on the other side. But Mr. Shuqul confirmed to Bar-kulan that there are casualties in both sides.

Earlier in the day at least five people died and several others were injured, mostly civilians when government troops backed by the African Union peacekeeping forces in Mogadishu attacked Al-Shabaab militia in several parts of the capital.

Somali government says they seized control of areas like Junction 30, Hamar-bile, Towfik, Suq-ba’ad and other strategic places in Mogadishu.

By Abdisalan Abdulle