The fighting erupted near Baidoa town, some 250km southwest of Somali capital Mogadishu, after Al Shabaab launched an ambush attack on military base.

Somali colonel Mohamed Mohamud says its army forces had repulsed surprise attack orchestrated by Al Shabaab.

Mohamud said four soldiers and nine Al Shabaab militants had been killed during the latest fighting in Daynunay area, some 18km Baidoa town.

"We came under ambush attack, but our soldiers warded of the attack and killed at least 9 armed militants while we lost 4 soldiers in the fight”, he said.

He says Somali military forces carried out joint operations against Al Shabaab.

There was no comment from Al Shabaab over the claims.

The Al-Shabab has been waging an insurgency in Somalia for more than 10 years.

A 22,000-strong African Union force is in the country to help the government in fighting against the al-Qaeda-linked militants.

The group has been driven out of many urban areas since 2011, however, it still controls territory in rural areas and carries out gun attacks and bombings on military and civilian targets.