Somali army pushes militants out of key town

Somali army pushes militants out of key town

Somalia’s army and allied militias have pushed al-Shabab fighters out of a strategic town in the centre of the country that had been held by the Islamist militant group for six years.

In recent months the government has retaken control of dozens of villages and towns.The combination of American air strikes, African Union troops, the Somali army and an allied militia are causing serious problems for al-Shabab.

The mayor of Adan Yabal said the town was taken without encountering any resistance.

The jihadist group had used it as a training base and a hub for its operations across central Somalia.

After President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s election in May, he declared all-out war against al-Shabab.

Now he says the effort to clear the group out of Hirshabelle and Galmudug states is in its final stages.

Despite losing territory the militant group has been carrying out frequent deadly bombing raids – especially in the capital, Mogadishu.

Date: 07-12-2022
Source: theindependentghana.com