At least 15 people were killed last night in clashes between government forces and militants from Al Shabaab (youth) Islamist movement, Somali officials said.
The deputy governor of Bakool region Sheikh Hassan said in a statement to reporters that these clashes killed seven soldiers and eight militants, while more than 25 others were injured.
However, Al Shabaab movement's spokesman announced in a statement quoted by media that his forces killed more than 30 government soldiers.
The movement also claimed its responsibility for the attacks that hit several cars on the Kenyan coast on Friday.
Thousands have fallen victims of the conflict between Al Shabaab movement and Somali government which lasted nearly a decade.