Official: Islamic extremists in southern Somalia ambush, kill 15 government soldiers
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A Somali military official says at least 15 soldiers have been killed in an ambush by fighters from the Islamic extremist rebel group al-Shabab.
Col. Ahmed Muse said late Monday that the ambush took place near Walaweyn, a town in Lower Shabelle region, about 93 kilometers (58 miles) south of the capital, Mogadishu.
He said the rebels seized three military vehicles during the ambush.
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Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack and said it had killed 30 soldiers, but it was impossible to independently verify the group's claims.
The attack comes a day after extremists attacked a hotel in Mogadishu, killing at least 12 people and injuring many others before they were killed by security forces.