Somali troops advance into rebel positions, 37 killed

[Jacaylbaro]

Somali government troops have made its

initial advance into the rebel-held areas in the north of Mogadishu in

a heavy fighting that left 37 more dead and injured 113, officials,

witnesses said.

 

Witnesses said government troops with the help of the African union

have crossed into the insurgency-racked district Karan. Soldiers

appear to have encountered lighter than expected resistance from the

Alshabaab who were reported to have entrenched in the nearby areas and

mined the roadways.

 

‘’ I have seen 18 dead Alshabaab fighters lying on one street and 5

government soldiers’’ Residents Fadumo Osman told Somalilandpress by

phone from Karan.

 

Soldiers seized Karan, Behani and the notorious Sana, where Alshabaab

have conducted public executions, including beheadings, and have

dumped the bodies of those who opposed their rule.

 

The state Minster for the defense Yusuf Mohamed Siad said his troops

have powerfully kicked the politically fractured militants.

 

‘’ Our troops have made tangible developments in the latest fighting’’

Indha Adde said.

 

The military also launched an operation in Jardinka intersection and

reportedly killed five millitant fighters.

 

As the military moves into the north after almost hours of heavy

fighting, the militants may have decided to conduct a tactical

withdrawal of its forces, estimated at between 5,000 to 7,000

fighters.

 

Hospital and ambulance sources said at least 37 people and injured 113

more, although the death toll may rise for the heavy shelling going

on.

 

Alshabaab’s control over many key regions across the country has left

Somali government isolated from much of the country, causing visible

panic.

 

Residents have been queuing at streets and in markets as troops and

military hardware stream towards the north.

 

Belligerent factions in Mogadishu have been locked in a tense

stand-off for weeks, amid expectations of an imminent offensive by the

government and its African Union backers to wrest Somalia back from

the insurgency.

[ANWAR]

nice run run al-sabab

[Peacenow]

Good job. 18 islamists dead. We need lots more.

[ANWAR]

THE NEW SOMALI ARMY advance

[Peacenow]

Anwar, who is the military man in fatigues.