MOGADISHU, March 2 (Xinhua) -- At least three Somali government soldiers were injured in two separate attacks by terror group Al-Shabaab near Somali capital of Mogadishu on Friday.
The police said the three were injured when the militants rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into the military base in Afgoye town, about 30 kms south of Mogadishu but were repulsed by the soldiers who were alert.
Afgoye Police Commander, Abdirahman Ibrahim Shamow said the Somalia National Army (SNA) foiled the suicide bombing attack in which the bomber died.
"The suicide bomber died on the spot, and three soldiers from SNA were injured in the attack, the terrorist wanted to cause a lot of damage to the army, but it did not happen. The situation is now calm at the comment," he said.
However, independence sources said four Somali soldiers were killed and six others injured after a suicide bomber attacked on the military base, adding that the attack targeted new Somali soldiers trained by United Arab Emirates.
Security sources said the explosive-laden vehicle was loaded with goats to conceal its mission.
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) spokesman confirmed the two attacks at Afgoye and Balad town but did not provide details on the number of casualties.
"There was a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack on police checkpoint in Afgoye details of the casualties are not out yet. Attack on convoy in Balad seems that they targeted the civilian lorry in the convoy that was being escorted," AMISOM spokesman Wilson Rono told Xinhua.
The Al-Shabaab militants also overran Balad town which is located about 30 kilometers north of Mogadishu in the mid-morning attack, taking control from government forces.
The insurgents later confirmed through its affiliated websites that they are in full control of the town which is less than 30 kms from the Somali capital Mogadishu.
Witnesses said the militants captured the local police and district headquarters. A resident who also declined to be named confirmed to Xinhua the militants are now in charge of the town.
"They came in the morning and went to the police headquarters and the district headquarters where they are now in control. There is very little movement in the town," the resident said.
