By AFP

A defeated in ongoing military operations in the region. These terrorists have no regard for civilians.”

According to witnesses, seven victims died at the scene, while another died later.

“This was a disaster… three were from one family, and the rest from another related family. They were all related,” said Abdikarin Hassan, from Buloburde.

Al-Shabaab, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda, has been trying to overthrow the foreign-backed government in Mogadishu since 2007 through a bloody insurgency.

Its fighters were driven from Mogadishu in 2011 but it remains a deadly force, despite a major offensive launched last August by pro-government forces, backed by African Union troops and US air strikes.

The attack near Buloburde followed a sustained firefight in the region, military sources said.

“The terrorists were defeated during this armed confrontation… and they took their revenge on civilians. They planted a landmine along the main road used by civilians,” Ahmed Ali, a Somali military commander, said by phone.