Al Shabaab militants lose grounds in southern Somalia

KISMAYO, Somalia, December 23, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Somali government forces backed by African Union peacekeepers have made fresh gains against militants, wresting the control of new areas in Lower Jubba region, Garowe Online reports.

Allied forces liberated Berhani vicinity, 80km west of the southern port city of Kismayo in a span of day after the recapture of Lower Shabelle region village of Aw Dheegle on Tuesday.

Residents have seen heavily armed soldiers thrusting deeper into Berhani.

Meanwhile, the allied battalions raided Al Shabaab hideouts in Qudus, another far-flung terrorist hotbed in Lower Jubba.

No casualties have been disclosed to the media yet.

Beleaguered militant group previously lost large chunk of territories in joint pushes by Somali National Army and African Union forces.

GAROWE ONLINE