Somali Islamist group seizes key area near Baidoa town

[Deeq A.]

BAIDOA (Caasimada Online)–Heavily gun-toting Al-Shabab fighters have taken control of key area near Baidoa town, some 250km southwest of Somali capital Mogadishu.

The group’s masked militants flooded to Gof-gadud area, about 30km away from Baidoa town after Somali army forces suddenly pulled out.

In a statement, the group said its fighters had recaptured the area earlier on Monday without fighting.

The group’s black flags were raised inside the area, according to a witness, who asked to be unnamed, because of reprisal attack on his life.

It remains unclear the army’s withdrawal.

The group was ousted from major areas in south and central Somalia, but still has a presence in large areas of southern Somalia and often stages attacks across Somalia.

There was no word from Somali military officials over the claims.

Somalia has remained in the grip of on-again, off-again violence since the outbreak of civil war in 1991.

Caasimada Online
Baidoa News Desk
Caasimada@live.com