![Soldiers belonging to the Burundian contingent of the African Union Mission in Somalia prepare to march on the Al Shabab held town of Ragaele in the Hiraan region of Somalia on September 30, 2014 [AMISOM]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/SAMISOM_15230279329-e1501415034639.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The Somali army has regained control of a town attacked by Al-Shabaab fighters yesterday, Reuters reported.
Somali forces have regained the Balad Hawo town, which left 30 Somali soldiers killed according to Al-Shabaab’s spokesman, Abdiasis Abu Musab. Somali military officials claim ten soldiers and seven Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in the attack. The death toll on both sides could rise.
The attack was initiated with a suicide car bomb, followed by a fierce gun battle in the early hours of the morning.
Read: Why did the US target Somali civilians hiding under banana trees?
Al-Shabaab regularly conducts suicide operations using cars and plants improvised explosive devices across Somalia. The group aims to implement a strict version of Islamic law across Somalia and take over control from the government.