Al-Shabaab, Somalia’s Alqaeda affiliate launched an attack on three Somali towns close to the border with Ethiopia on Wednesday clashing with the Liyu police from the Somali regional state of Ethiopia. The towns, Yeed, Aato and Washaaqo locate in Bakool, Southwest State, Somalia.

According to websites affiliated with the Al-Shabab, the group claimed to have taken over the towns of Yeed and Aato, killing members of the liyu police in the area.  However, their claim could not be independently verified.

The attack follows after Somalia prime minister Hamza Abdi Barre said, while addressing African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security, that  his government is determined to launch "forceful and comprehensive” fights to counter Al-Shabaab, ISIS militants through "military and non-military means” to reopen main supply routes for humanitarian efforts, commercial and movement of people. However, Prime Minister did not disclose a timeline for the launch of military and non-military operations against the militants.

Somali militant group Al-Shabab have been fighting against the Somali government also took the credit for an explosion that took off in Afgoye District in the Lower Shabelle Region of South West Somalia  resulting in deaths and injuries.

On Monday, US forces in Somalia known as Africom said that two Al-Shabab members were killed in an airstrike, after the group attacked Somali troops in the vicinity of Libikus in Southern Somalia.

According to the statement released by AFRICOM, the strike against the Shabab terrorists was carried out in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia