Eight Al-Shabaab militants killed in Somalia

Mogadishu: At least eight Al Shabaab fighters were killed when military and Africa Union (AU) forces attacked the militant group in Somalia`s Bakool region, authorities said Saturday.

Somali military commander Abdirahman Mohamed said a joint force of Somali military and the AU forces launched an offensive in Celbaar town late Friday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Our forces attacked Al Shabaab bases in Celbaar town and the offensive lasted for around 10 hours. We lost three of our soldiers and four others were injured, but we killed eight fighters and injured 15 others," Mohamed said.

However, Al Shabaab said its fighters killed more than 10 soldiers and injured many more, adding that they were still in control of the town.