Somalia: Federal Govt troops recover looted livestock from Al Shabaab-held areas

HUDUR, Somalia Nov 16, 2014 (Garowe Online)-Somali National Army (SNA) troops have recovered heads of livestock from Al Shabaab-held areas near Bakool regional capital of Hudur of southwestern Somalia as residents reported of brief battle between pastoralists and militants in central village, Garowe Online reports.

Somali army commanders in Bakool said on government-owned station, Radio Mogadishu that raids on Al Shabaab-held areas which lie few kilometers from Hudur led to the recovering of heads of livestock allegedly meant for Alms contributions.

Meanwhile, nomads clashed with Al Shabaab in Aad village, 40 km north of Mudug regional district of Harar Dhere in central Somalia on account of Zakat collection, killing two militants.

The brief battle flared up in Aad after fighters from Al Shabaab asked pastoralists who lost their farm animals to recurrent droughts to pay herds.

Somali government forces aided by African Union peacekeepers dislodged militants from a string of strategic bastions in central and southern Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE