Al Shabaab militants briefly seize key town in southern Somalia
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- Posted On 11-03-2015, 01:07PM
WANLAWEYN, Somalia, March 11, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Somalia’s Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab militants poured into key town between Mogadishu and Baidoa late on Tuesday night, Garowe Online reports.
Residents who woke up to gun fire said that militants chanting Takbir [Greatness of God proclamation] forced their way into Wanlaweyn district, occupying police station during the mid-night raid.
Wanlaweyne is said to have remained in the hands of Al Shabaab fighters for two hours.
A soldier was killed in brief gun-battle, with another source disclosing that two vehicles were confiscated.
Lower Shabelle Governor, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Siidi unveiled that the thrust into the town came after Drone strikes hit militant positions.
Somali government forces aided by African union peacekeepers reached Wanlaweyne on Wednesday morning.
The seized town serves as a key interconnector between Mogadishu and Bay regional capital of Baidoa.
GAROWE ONLINE
