Al-Shabaab retakes strategic town in central Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Al-Qaeda network operatives in Somalia have retaken the strategic town of Ba’adweyne in central Somalia, multiple sources confirmed, just moments after the government troops reportedly withdrew under unknown circumstances.

Ba’adweyne is one of the towns in the southern Mudug region that saw government troops wage serious assault against the militants, leading to milestone victories that forced Al-Shabaab to flee. The town was among those liberated during the first phase of operations against the militants.

But sources say the militants have returned to the town in full swing, after the unprecedented exit of the government troops who were tasked to restore order and tranquillity in the region. The Ministry of Defence is yet to issue statement with regard to the developments.

Al-Shabaab’s Telegram channel posted a purported photo of militants in Ba’adweyne. The militants are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia, which has struggled to stamp authority, despite support from the international community.

This comes after the US Department of Treasury designated 16 individuals suspected to be bankrolling the militants in East Africa. Among those affected were operators of Crown Bus Services and Haleel Commodities Limited which are based in Kenya.

“The United States is committed to working with regional partners to root out terror financing networks and the entities they abuse to raise and move funds,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson.

“Today’s action is part of a multifaceted effort by Treasury to support the Somali government’s economic offensive against al-Shabaab—one of three pillars in their campaign to degrade this deadly terrorist group.”

Al-Shabaab generates over $100 million per year by extorting local businesses and individuals, as well as through the financial support of affiliated businesspeople. The threat posed by al-Shabaab is not limited to Somalia.

Al-Shabaab’s revenues are disbursed to other al-Qaeda-supported groups worldwide and help fund al-Qaeda’s global ambitions to sow discord and undermine good governance, the department said in a lengthy statement while calling for a collaborative approach in the fight against the militants.

GAROWE ONLINE