African Union Peacekeepers and Somali National Army today carried out a joint offensive on Boorow, an Al-Shabab administered town just a few miles away from Jowhar, the provincial headquarters of Middle Shabelle region.

Heavy gun battles erupted as the two sides confronted each other, according to area residents.

Our efforts to make contacts with senior government commanders in the battle field proved futile and it’s not yet clear the number of casualties or damage caused.

There is a tense atmosphere in Jowhar as Al-Shabab is conducting military maneuvers to defend their positions in case the allied forces move in.

However uneasy calm is currently reported.