Al-Shabaab seizes key town as Somalia marks 65 years of independence

Even as Somalia celebrates its 65th independence day, the country continues to lose strategic towns to Al-Shabaab fighters, in yet another indication of struggles on the frontlines over the last three months.

It is not long since the militants took over Adan Yabaal town from the Somali National Army (SNA) following confrontations on the frontlines in the country. Somalia has been fighting to restore stability for the last three decades.

According to military reports, the militants seized control of the town of El Qohle, located about 13km from Moqokori in Somalia's Hiran region, following weeks of clashes with government troops and allied Mawisley clan militias.

The Macawislay fighters work closely with the Somali National Army and regional forces to bolster security within central and southern regions. The government of Somalia maintains that it is still able to restore order and control in the country.

On Tuesday, Al-Shabaab released images purporting to show its fighters in control of El Qohle town, Hiran region. There were no signs of Mawisley militias or the Somali National Army, who were seen within the vicinity of the town.

Military theorists believe that the town is the last defensive position before Moqokori, a strategic logistics base for Somali army units and allied Mawisley militias over the past three years. The militants have been fighting hard to retake Moqokori.

The setbacks come as the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) continues with the drawdown of peacekeepers from the country ahead of full exit as part of compliance with the Somali Transition Plan (STP).

Currently, we have about 11,000 soldiers serving in AUSSOM after the reduction from 22,000. However, the Troops Contributing Countries want this number to be increased, but the US, as one of the major financial partners, is not keen to continue funding the mission.

GAROWE ONLINE