Somali, AU forces seize key areas from Al-Shabaab

[Deeq A.]

MOGADISHU (Caasimada Online)—Somali army forces backed by Djibouti-an soldiers with African Union peacekeeping force have on Wednesday taken control of key areas from Al-Shabaab.

Somali army forces along with African Union peacekeepers seized Burwein, Diblei and Farhale areas near Jalalaqsi town, some  369 km away from Somali capital Mogadishu.

The seizure follows after the Al Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab group made suddenly pull-out, according to Somali military official, who asked to be anonymous.

He says the operation was carried out in response to the concerns by the local community, whom the group ordered to pay huge levies.

There was no word from Al Shabaab over the claims.

The group, one of the world’s deadliest Islamist organisations, used to control swathes of Somalian territory including the capital, Mogadishu, but was pushed back into rural areas in 2011.

The al Qaeda inspired group Al Shabaab wants to topple the western-backed government and peacekeeping force, and impose sharia law in Africa’s easternmost country of Somalia.

Caasimada Online

Mogadishu News Desk

Caasimada@live.com