US-trained forces retake strategic town in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - US-trained Danab forces on Friday retook a strategic town in the hostile Lower Shabelle region, officials said in a statement, in one of tremendous success against the militants, who have been wreaking havoc in the Horn of Africa nation for the past several years.

Reports indicate that the military team under the command of Danab, a contingent of the Somali National Army [SNA], stormed the Mubarak area within Lower Shabelle and managed to flush out the militants, who have been controlling the key town which is a major supply route.

The Danab soldiers managed to seize an explosive-laden vehicle and several suspects will now be arraigned in court for trial. The military did not reveal the number of Al-Shabaab militants who were arrested during the operation but it's estimated that over 20 of them are in army custody awaiting trial.

Mubarak area is one of those regions believed to be an Al-Shabaab stronghold and the victory places the SNA soldiers at pole position to retake the country. Lower Shabelle is one of the areas which has witnessed an intensive fight between the government soldiers and the militants for the last decade.

Last week, the SNA troops had announced the retaking of Lower Shebelle following operations which were waged since February this year. Official reports indicate that over 100 militants have been killed this year alone in Lower Shebelle through multi-agency operations.

In March, the government troops also retook Janaale, a key agricultural-rich town in Lower Shabelle after several days of gunfight against the militants. Before its capture, Janaale was the main source of income for the militants and it's estimated that they made millions of dollars through illegal taxation.

This comes just a few hours after security forces in Mogadishu paraded an Al-Shabaab suspect identified as Mohamed Hassan who was arrested for allegedly launching mortars at Deynile district north of the city. There has been a surge in mortar attacks in the capital, mostly targeting The Villa Somalia in the past months.

Danab forces have been instrumental in enforcing law and order in the country. The US is keen to train more security forces ahead of the planned exit of several foreign troops, mostly serving in the African Union Mission in Somalia, over a decade after their deployment.

GAROWE ONLINE