Somalia military re-captures key town from Al-Shabaab

BAIDOA, Somalia - A day after losing control of a strategic village in Somalia, the national army has recaptured it from the Al-Shabaab militants, who have been wreaking havoc on innocent civilians and members of security forces, who are fighting to control the region.

The national army recaptured Goofgaduud Burey village within Southwest state, in what officials termed as a "significant step" towards stabilization of the Horn of Africa nation. The village, which is situated about 30 kilometers west of Baidoa, was lost to Al-Shabaab on Sunday before being recaptured on Wednesday.

According to locals, security officers entered the town without much resistance, an indication that the militants have been diffused following systematic campaigns that have left them completely dismembered. The district had fallen to al-Shabaab after the withdrawal of Somali troops from the area.

The Somali National Army [SNA], African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops, and local militia have been using the town for a strategic offensive against the militants. Baidoa is the regional administrative capital of Southwest State and could be the center of struggles in the coming weeks.

The takeover took place a few days before the army with assistance from international partners killed over 45 Al-Shabaab militants in the neighboring Bakool region, with at least five foreigners dying in the ambush. The ambush also comes days before Somalia starts the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab.

In the coming weeks, the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab will kick off in southwest and Jubaland states, with soldiers from neighboring Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia, who are not serving in ATMIS, expected to take part in the operation. The troops will serve for three months, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had said.

Somalia has been battling violent extremism for the last 16 years, with the militants killing thousands of people. However, in the process, the army with assistance from foreign troops, has also managed to liberate several strategic towns.

GAROWE ONLINE