Somalia: Al Shabaab militants retake control of town in Southern Somalia

HALGAN, Somalia - Al Shabaab fighters have on Sunday morning retaken control of Halgan district in Hiiran region from retreating Ethiopian forces serving with the African Union peacekeeping troops in Somalia (AMISOM), Garowe Online reports.

A local resident, speaking on condition of anonymity said heavily armed militants entered the town without resistance few hours after Ethiopian forces left their military base in Halgan town at Saturday midnight.

Halgan is a key town located about 75 kilometers south of Beledweyne town, the regional capital of Hiiraan region.

"Hundreds of gun-toting Al Shabaab fighters can be seen inside the area, hoisting their flag on the top of the police station and the administrative headquarter," said a resident who spoke to GO over the phone.

He added that residents started fleeing the town while others gripped with fear that militants would targets civilians.

Somali government and AMISOM officials did not comment on the sudden withdrawal of the Ethiopian troops from Halgan town.

Halgan is the 3rd town vacated by Ethiopian forces in Somalia after Moqokori and El Ali villages, all located in the same Hiiraan region in less than a month.

Al Qaida linked Al Shabaab group has intensified its attacks against Somali troops and AMISOM forces, after Al Shabaab leaders vowed to disrupt the parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled to end in November 30.

GAROWEONLINE