Somalia: AU troops pull out of strategic villages in Lower Shabelle

MARKA, Somalia, March 25, 2015 (Garowe Online)-African Union troops have pulled out of strategic villages in Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia, drawing concerns from Somali government officials on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports.

AMISOM forces vacated their military bases in the agriculture-rich villages of Awdhegle, Barire and Sabib in a move called ‘surprise pullout’ by Lower Shabelle Governor Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur (Siidi).

Siidi said on VOA Somali Service that they were not consulted on the withdrawal of African Union peacekeepers: “AMISOM forces withdrew from Awdhegle, Barire and Sabib. They did not pre-inform us about the retreat”.

Lower Shabelle Governor added that under a deal signed in 2012, African Union forces handed over their bases in the strategic areas to Somali National Army.

Residents say, fears of attack by Al Shabaab militants in nearby bastions are looming.

Barire, Sabib and Awdhegle residents are heavily reliant on Shabelle River for agricultural activities.

Meanwhile, Al Shabaab militants are in control of rural areas near the riverside villages.

Somali government forces alongside AMISOM dislodged Al Qaeda-inspired fighters from a string of key towns in central and southern Somalia. 

GAROWE ONLINE