Somalia: AU forces seize key areas from Al-Shabaab

[Deeq A.]

MOGADISHU (Caasimada Online)—African Union peacekeeping forces have on Tuesday re-captured key areas from Al-Shabaab in south and central Somalia.

The joint operation was carried out in Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions.

Heavily armed peacekeeping forces from Burundi and Djibouti seized Burane, Dhin, Garas, Fidow, Maqudale, Kaliga and Shina areas in south and central Somalia.

The operation was conducted, in a bid to open the main high-way linking Jowhar town and Bulo-burde town in Hiran region, according to Somali military.

In 2014, Somali army forces, along with African Union forces captured Fidow area, a major Al Shabaab stronghold in central Somalia.

The Al-Qaeda linked Shabaab was pushed out of the Somali capital in 2011 — and subsequently other towns and cities — by soldiers from the African Union Mission in Somalia.

Caasimada Online

Mogadishu News Desk

Caasimada@live.com