Somalia: Al Shabaab fighters briefly seized El-Wak town
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- Posted On 12-12-2016, 11:08AM
EL WAK, Somalia - Al Qaida linked Al Shabaab militants on Sunday evening have briefly seized a strategic town near Somalia-Kenya border, before they were pushed back by government forces, Garowe Online report.
A resident who spoke to GO, said Al Shabaab militants have forced their way into El Wak district in Gedo region, seizing the administrative headquarters and police station during the raid.
Al Shabaab fighters engaged in a fierce battle with Somali government troops who were forced out of the town, according to the resident. The Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers were reported to have fled to Kenya after they were being overpowered during the confrontation.
The town has remained in the hands of Al Shabaab fighters for about 8 hours.
However, Al Shabaab commanders have implored the residents before they withdrew from the town, a strategic area between Somalia and Kenya.
It was not immediately clear if there had been any casualties from the fighting in El Wak town of Gedo province, which has previously changed in hands between the two sides.
GAROWEONLINE
