Somalia: Al shabaab seized control of Goofgaduud town again in a week

Goofgaduud, Somalia- Al Qaeda-affiliated Islamic extremist group Al shabaab has wrested full control of the strategic town of Goofgaduud after Somali troops and Southwest state troops withdrawal on Tuesday afternoon, Garowe Online reports.

A senior southwest state military official, Abdullahi Sheikh Mohamed, told local media that the regional forces have retreated from Goofgaduud district for the second time over 'unpaid salaries.'

Goofgaduud, is a key town located about 30 kilometers north of Baidoa city, the interim seat of South West state.  The militants raised their black flag over the town's main buildings following their entrance.

Mohamed said the retreating southwest state troops, along with Somali forces are now stationed at nearby location which lies on a major road linking Baidoa and Goofgaduud towns.

Last month, Al Shabaab group has retaken control of several towns in southern and central Somalia after the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces serving under the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

GAROWEONLINE