Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The development came about after pro-government forces advanced towards Hudur Town, a regional capital, 420 km southwest of Mogadishu.
Mr Ibrahim Omar Dhere, the Transitional Federal Government’s (TFG) commissioner in charge of Eel Barde District, told journalists that pro-government forces made some gains adding that their target was driving the al-Shabaab militants out of Hudur Town.
“Our forces are very close to Hudur. We are just 30 km off the town,” Mr Omar said
The pro-government forces in Bay and Bakol regions are assisted by Ethiopian troops.
Reports from Hudur indicate that residents are fleeing the town over the anticipated clash between the Islamist militants and government soldiers. Last week, pro-government forces backed by Ethiopian troops seized Baidoa Town, 240 km southwest of Mogadishu.
Towns captured
Two months ago,
Ethiopian forces assisted Somali government loyalists in Hiran region in
central Somalia to capture Beledweyne, 335 km north of Mogadishu.
With the fall of Beledweyne and Baidoa, Hudur is the only regional capital in Somali territories facing the Ethiopian border that remain in the hands of al-Shabaab.
Pro-government forces in Jubaland are reportedly advancing towards the port town of Kismayu, 500 km south of Mogadishu. They are backed by Kenyan troops.
Meanwhile, A bomb has killed four people and injured nine others in Central Mogadishu.
The bomb exploded at a playground in Wardhigley District on Monday. The sports ground was hosting the finals of soccer tournament aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation.
“The blast only affected the football fans because the players had not started the game,” said Ms Deqa Abdulkadir Ahmed, the Wardhigley District Commissioner.
The al-Shabaab are suspected to have planted the bomb.