Kismayo (Sunatimes) A pro- government militia in southern Somalia, the Raskamboni group, has claimed that its fighters and government troops have repulsed Al-Shabaab rebel group fighters who launched a fresh offensive in border town of Dobley on Friday morning.

The Raskamboni group spokesman Abdinasir Serar said the militant fighters attacked their bases in Dobley town but they managed to repulse them, denying reports that the militia first took control of the town.

He claimed that only three of their fighters were killed during the fight. He said the militia cut off communication lines in the area from Qoqani server.

He also claimed that they were aware of the impending attacks and were fully prepared for it.

Reports say early on Friday the rebel fighters entered Dhobley, near the Kenyan border, from three directions, attacking government troops and its allied Raskamboni militia.

The rebel fighter took brief control of the city before they were chased out of it by Somali military who regained control of the town.

However, local residents told Reuters that Al-Shabaab fighters were not far from the town and fighting may restart at any time.

The fighting comes a day after the militant group ambushed government troops in the nearby southwestern region of Gedo, some parts of which are in the hands of the rebels.

A government official in Dolow, Mahmoud Ali Shire, told Reuters that 24 people were killed during the Thursday attack in the region.

He said the militia ambushed and hit them with artillery, killing ten of their men whereas they killed 14 of the militants.

By Dahir Alasow