Hiiraan Online
Saturday, February 6, 2016
MOGADISHU (HOL) – The African Union and Somali forces have recaptured Marka town Saturday one day after Al-Shabab fighters have retaken the city from allied forces on Friday.
Residents in the town said that the allied forces that spent on Friday night outside the town entered the two from directions, ending pockets of resistance by Al Shabab fighters who were later pushed out of the town.
The development has deprived Al Shabab of their largest strongholds ever retaken since the allied forces ousted militants from the capital and surrounding regions.
Despite losing key strongholds, Al Shabab fighters have retaken strings of towns and villages across the country, raising concerns of militants’ searing capabilities.
The group’s fighters started audacious and complex attacks on military bases early last year during which militants overrun three African Union military bases and killed scores of soldiers, forcing troops to abandon several towns and villages.