At eight Al-Shabaab fighters were killed late on Friday when Somali military and Africa Union forces attacked the militant group in Somalia's southwest region of Bakool, authorities said on Saturday.

Somali military commander Abdirahman Mohamed told the media that a joint force of Somali military and the Africa Union backed force, AMISOM, launched an offensive at the Al-Qaida linked militant group in Celbaar town, Bakool region Friday.

"Our forces attacked Al-Shabaab bases in Celbaar town and the offensive lasted for around ten hours. We lost three of our soldiers and four others were wounded, but we killed eight fighters and wounded 15 others," said Mohamed.

But in a swift rejoinder, Al-Shabaab said its fighters killed more than ten government forces and injured many more, adding that they are still in control of the town.

Somali government official Hassan Aden in Bakool said the government forces had returned to their base after the attack.

Somali National Army and AMISOM have made significant gains in the last one year by capturing major towns which have been under Al-Shabaab control.