Somalia: Militants seize Wanlawayn after Govt forces withdraw

Image

WANLAWAYN, Somalia, July 4, 2015 (Garowe Online)- Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab militants poured into Lower Shabelle region town of Wanlawayn in southern Somalia following skirmishes with government forces on Saturday, Garowe Onliner reports.

Though militants faced little resistance, residents have confirmed that Al Shabaab is now in control of Wanlawayn, some 90km west of Mogadishu.

Somali government forces are said to have vacated their positions, heading to a military airport remaining under the control of African Union peacekeepers and Afgooye town.

The fresh squeeze follows a series of alarming pullouts made by allied troops from strategic areas in Lower Shabelle.

Militants stepped up Ramadan rampage, reverting to unprecedented military-style ambushes and planned assassinations.

GAROWE ONLINE

Related Articles

Somalia says strike kills founding Al-Shabaab leader

The minister said Ibrahim "Moalim Jinaaw" was one of Al-Shabaab's founders and the ninth member of the group's Shura Council.

  • Somalia

    20-07-2026

  • 01:48PM

Egypt Urges Somalia to Secure Release of Kidnapped Sailors

The remarks came during talks in Cairo between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali.

  • Somalia

    19-07-2026

  • 01:39PM