MOGADISHU, July 13 (Xinhua) — A total of 32 people, including 25 militants were killed Monday in fighting between Africa Union (AU) forces and the Islamist group Al-Shabaab in the southern Somali district of Rage Celle, a local official said.

Al-Shabaab militants launched an attack on the district but were repulsed by government troops and the AU forces in Somalia, known as AMISOM, according to Rage Celle Mayor, Yusuf Haji Mohamod.

“Five soldiers and two civilians died in a tense fighting lasted for two hours and half,” Haji Mohamod told Xinhua.

“We also managed to kill 25 militants during the attack and now the situation is under control,” he added.

Local resident Jelle Warsame told Xinhua there was a heavy exchange of gunfire and were “many casualties among the residents”.

Most of the residents fled their homes after the attack took place in the early morning, another resident Muuse Barow said.

Al-Shabaab, which is allied to Al-Qaida, has been fighting for years against the Somali government and carried out waves of attacks in the country and neighboring Kenya.