Dozens of Somali government fighters and al-Shabaab militants lost their lives in a fierce battle that took place in a forest in Somalia.
The clash, which occurred during a offensive against the al Qaeda-affiliated group, resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.
According to a military officer and a clan elder, approximately 30 soldiers and allied militiamen were killed when they were ambushed by hidden snipers after initially pushing back the al-Shabaab fighters.
The deaths on the al-Shabaab side were estimated to be around 55 fighters. This intense confrontation marks one of the bloodiest encounters in the ongoing conflict between the Somali forces and the extremist group.