Somalia: Al Shabaab temporarily seize Dhuso Mareb 20 Mar 20, 2012 - 11:03:19 AM
DHUSO MAREB, Somalia Mar 20 2012 (Garowe Online) – After temporarily seizing the capital of Galgudud region, Dhuso Mareb, Al Shabaab insurgents fled the city after Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama troops entered, Garowe Online reports.
The morning raid on Dhuso Mareb by Al Shabaab militia according to the operations manager was a successful venture for the terrorist group. A bloody battle ensued between Al Shabaab and Ahlu Sunnah militants who govern large areas in Galgudud region. That casualties which could still be seen on the streets of Dhuso Mareb were 31 people and 51
others injured. Thousands fled the city after the morning raid by the terrorist group.
After holding on to Dhuso Mareb for a few hours reinforcements from Guri’al a nearby town were sent by Ahlu Sunnah officials and the Al Shabaab insurgents fled.
Al Shabaab’s operations director Abdiaziz Abu Musab who released a statement said that the organization achieved their goal in the operation killing 15 Ahlu Sunnah troops and stealing 6 vehicles some being military vehicles. “After a small skirmish between our (Al Shabaab) agents and Ahlu Sunnah we were able to seize control of Dhuso Mareb and the agents were able to capture 6 vehicles … and they were given an order to leave the city,” said Abu Musab.
Abu Musab did not mention the casualties on the Al Shabab side. Ahlu Sunnah spokesman’s Ahmed Hersi who spoke to the media said that for a few hours Al Shabaab had controlled the city but were forced out after reinforcements had arrived.
Local sources on the ground say that before departing from Dhuso Mareb that the terror group kidnapped some city elders.
This is not the first time that Al Shabaab insurgents attacked the city of Dhuso Mareb last November they attempted to seize Dhuso Mareb but were warded off by Ahlu Sunnah troops. At least six people were killed in the attack and 15 others injured.
