Saturday, June 22, 2013
Somali government forces backed by African
Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Ethiopian troops seized several
villages surrounding Beledweyne from al-Shabaab Sunday evening (June
16th), UN-funded Radio Bar-Kulan reported.
The troops captured villages including Luq-Jesow, Baar, El Ali and
Bardhere, according to AMISOM commander in the Hiran region Colonel
Osman Dubad.
At least 11 al-Shabaab fighters and sympathisers were detained in the
operation, he said, vowing to continue operations to flush al-Shabaab
from the area.
Somali troops took Beledweyne from al-Shabaab in December 2011,
although the city has been the site of subsequent al-Shabaab ambushes.
The city is currently the site of an AMISOM training programme for
Somali soldiers.