Al-Shabaab seizes main AMISOM supply route in southern Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Islamist group Al-Shabaab has retaken a small town in the south of the country after it was abandoned by African Union troops, residents said on Tuesday.

Al-Shabaab fighters moved into Mashalay without encountering resistance after Ugandan forces vacated the area which was a main AMISOM supply route linking to Qoryoley town in the Lower Shabelle region.

African Union and Somali troops have driven it from major urban strongholds and ports, but they have often struggled to defend smaller, more remote areas from attacks.

The militants on Sunday targeted members of Danab Special Forces, in the latest attack targeting security forces, in the middle of the ongoing crackdown against the militants, who have been wreaking havoc in the country for several years now.

According to multiple sources said the militants targeted Danab Special Forces escorting convoy carrying Lower Shabelle region’s governor traveling in Tixsiile town in Lower Shabelle on Sunday morning using Improvised Explosive Devices [IEDs], which led to massive explosions.

Reports indicate that the explosion left at least four members of the Danab Special Forces dead on the spot. Also, sources say, several members of the team who is responsible for the sophisticated operations against the militants sustained serious injuries.

Through their proxy media sites, the Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility, arguing that "several enemy soldiers were killed". The militants added: "we shall continue with the operations against them until we rescue our people from their bad policies".

For a long time, Al-Shabaab has been targeting security forces, senior government officials, and innocent civilians across East Africa. The team still controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia according to security reports.

The government of Somalia and the Somali National Army [SNA] are yet to confirm the Sunday morning attack. However, when confirmed, this will be the first major devastating attack against the security forces in Somalia this year, after the exit of the US Africa Command troops.

The American troops withdrew completely from Somalia on Friday and according to the Department of Defense, they will be repositioned elsewhere in East Africa. Sources say the majority of the soldiers will be taken to Kenya and Djibouti.

Reports indicate that there were close to 7,00 US Africa Command soldiers in Somalia whose main task was to train and equip the Danab Special Forces. Besides that, the team has been providing aerial surveillance for the allied troops in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants.

GAROWE ONLINE