Al-Shabaab militants on Thursday ran over a military camp manned by newly trained Somali National Army, reports have indicated.
The latest attack by a largely weakened terrorists group comes barely a month after another raid at a military base in Lower Shebelle region.
According to reports by Voice of America, the militants attacked an army base at Marka town, a move that led to hours of heavy guns exchanges between the two sides.
Militants reportedly came from Jilib-Marka area. There are reports the town is preparing for a high profile visit in coming days. They were later repulsed.
"At least five were killed in this confrontation late Thursday near Marka, according to sources who spoke to @voasomali," reports indicated.
Earlier on Thursday, Somalia government paraded Al-Shabaab defector Hassan Aden, who has reportedly been coordinating activities in Southwest region.
The events comes even as the militants managed to wage a rocket propelled grenade against Kenyan forces at Elwak town in Mandera on Thursday.
The teams were travelling between Farhama and Elram when their two armoured vehicles and a lorry were hit by the rocket fired by suspected Al Shabaab militants.
The attack badly damaged the vehicles, killing three KDF soldiers and two ASTU personnel. Those injured were evacuated to Nairobi for treatment.
“It is a shame that they died in such an attack in a vehicle that is supposed to protect them. It raises questions on the suitability of these carriers,” said an official aware of the incident.