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| Last Updated: Apr 3, 2012 - 2:47:55 AM |
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AMISOM Seize Militant Strategy Districts, Clashes Killed 20 in Somalia
23 Feb 23, 2011 - 1:54:55 PM
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Somali government forces backed by African Union troops on Wednesday launched a fresh offensive against Hard-line Al-Shabaab, seized three rebel bases in the capital Mogadishu, Radio Garowe Reports.
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Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed "Farmajo" said the troops captured Gashaandhigga, a complex building of former Ministry of Defence in Southwest of Mogadishu.
"Our soldiers removed the enemy in several areas including the defence ministry building and in the Shirkole neighbourhood." He said.
Witness said the government soldiers backed by A.U and AMISOM are controlling the new positions, seized several Al-Shabaab armed vehicle.
However, at least 40 people, mainly soldiers were killed and 70 others were also wounded in fresh clashes of capturing positions in different parts of the Horn of African nation.
Witnesses told Garowe online reporter that the fighting erupted in Beled weyn and Beled hawo, strategic towns in Southern Somalia, bordering Kenya and Ethiopia, killed 15 people and injured dozens others.
African Union peacekeeping troops spokesman, Maj. Barigye Ba-hoku said many casualties mostly AU soldiers were seen in clashes.
Al-shabaab has long history of animosity and the latest clashes are feared to ignite more violence in the central and south regions where they both have large military presence.
Last year began with some of the worst and deadliest fighting in Somalia since early 2009, thousands of civilians died and millions people are homeless since the civil war in 1991.
Somalia has not had a stable government since 1991, and insurgent groups are waging war against the government in an effort to implement a stricter form of Islamic law, or sharia.
GAROWEONLINE
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