16 people are killed as Somali forces attacked al-Shabab fighters in north of Mogadishu. Heavy clashes between Somali forces and al-Shabab fighters broke out on Tuesday morning and continued in the afternoon in depopulated villages north of Mogadishu. Witnesses said the pro-government forces launched a surprise attack on al-Shabab bases in the outskirt villages, leading to the exchange of heavy fire. “The two sides have been exchanging heavy artillery and machine gunfire since morning. In evening, we counted more than 16 dead bodies, most of them fighters, scattered around the bush,” Jamal Noor, a resident told Press TV. According to residents, al-Shabab abandoned the villages after the rival forces overwhelmed them. “AMISOM and Somali soldiers are in control of Mahamed Shekh Osman and Ali Mahdi farms and the road that connect to Afgoye and Balcad towns, the overpowered al-Shabab fighters are reportedly seen heading towards Afgoye,” a government soldier said. Sheikh Fuad Mohamed Khalaf...