The Islamist group launched the attack in the Hiran region of the semi-autonomous state of Hirshabelle in central Somalia. The trucks were transporting foodstuffs from the town of Baladweyne to the town of Mahas, according to residents.
“Al Shabaab killed 18 civilians and burned…several relief food trucks heading for Mahas town last night,” Farah Aden, an elder in the area, told Reuters by phone.
The state-run Sonna news agency reported that al Shabaab fighters burned trucks carrying Mahas relief food and “killed most of the people in the vehicles”.
The Islamist group Al-Qada has been fighting against the central government of Somalia for more than ten years. He wants to establish his own rule based on a strict interpretation of the Islamic Sharia.
The group frequently launches shelling, shooting and other attacks against military and civilian targets.
Last month, more than 20 people were killed in an attack in which Al Shabaab fighters stormed the Hayat Mogadishu hotel, sparking a 30-hour battle as government troops sought to end the siege and free the hostages.
Mr Aden said armed residents had driven the insurgents out of the area last week, but the government had not sent troops to help prevent the fighters from returning.
“Al Shabaab is doing all these things in order to make us surrender. But we will never surrender to Al Shabaab as long as there is a soul in us. Government forces have not arrived on the scene yet,” Aden said. .