At least two soldiers were killed and eight civilians injured in a bomb blast in a livestock market in Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia on Sunday.

"Two soldiers were killed in the explosion. Five other soldiers and three civilians were wounded. The injured have been rushed to Mogadishu for medical attention," said Qoryoley District Commissioner Mohamed Hajji Osman.

"There was a loud bang at the market and we established later some government soldiers had been killed," said Ahmed Adow, an eye witness.

No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion. African Union forces, Amisom and Somali army have in the recent times launched military offensives to capture remaining towns from the militant group Al-Shabaab.

Lower Shabelle still remains as the main stronghold of Al-Shabaab after it was pushed from other regions in the joint operations.

Source: XINHUA