Mogadishu: According to a senior army official, Somalia's military successfully repelled a jihadi attack in a remote area of the nation early on Saturday, killing at least 18 Al-Shabab militants.

According to Gen. Mohamed Ahmed Taredisho over the phone, at least three civilians who have been referred to as "traditional elders" were killed in the fighting close to Masagaway town.

Masagaway, which has a military base there, is in Galgadud's centre. Yusuf Sheikh, a resident, claimed that during the attack, militants overran the base, stole weapons, and burned battle waggons.

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Early in the morning, "(Al-Shabab) completely overran the entire town, including the military base, forcing the government forces out of the town," he recalled.

Sheikh reported that several victims of the attack were dead and others were missing. The Somali federal government is opposed in Mogadishu, the country's capital, by Al-Shabab, an organisation with ties to Al-Qaeda.

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Following its loss of territory in rural areas to government forces in recent months, the group has increased its attacks on military installations.

Members of Al-Shabab have fought for an Islamic state to be established in the country in the Horn of Africa for years. Aside from sporadic US airstrikes on Al-Shabab targets, African Union peacekeepers have attempted to deter the militants.

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The drought in Somalia is also the worst it has been in years. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made an appeal for "massive international support" for the nation during a visit there earlier this month