MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Al-Shabaab fighters have not taken control of Amara and Ba’adweyne in Mudug region, Galmudug’s Information Minister, Ahmed Shire Falagle confirmed Friday barely two days after fierce fighting between Somali military and the group’s fighters.
In an interview with BBC Somali Service, the Minister dismissed claims by the group, saying the towns are still under the control of Somali forces.
The minister vowed the forces would intensify their operation against al-Shabaab fighters in the region.
“In the coming hours, we will share with the public the location of the troops and our ongoing operations. “We can assure you that the enemy has captured not a single well,” he said.
Al-Shabaab group had on Thursday claimed that they wrested the control of the two towns following mysterious withdrawal of Somali military and Galmudug state forces from the two localities.
No independent sources would confirm the claims of al-Shabaab.
The development came barely two days after US military conducted airstrike against al-Shabaab fighters who briefly seized Amara town following fierce fighting with Somali military.
“In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab fighters engaged in active combat with our Somali partners in the vicinity of Amara, Somalia, on Aug. 24,” US statement confirmed.
The statement added that no civilians were killed or injured based on its initial assessment.
Discussion about this post