Somali national army (SNA), backed by African Union peacekeepers from Uganda, have driven Al Shabab militants out of Sabid and Anole areas near Afgoye town, some 30km south west of Mogadishu.
Saturday’s operation came after 15 days of fighting and airstrikes which led to the militants being dislodged from both areas in the Lower Shabelle region.
Governor of Lower Shabelle Ibrahim Aadan Ali Najah confirmed the liberation, saying the joint offensive was part of a campaign to reclaim territories under Al Shabab control.
“Our forces along with African Union troops, have taken full control of Sabid and Anole. Al-Shabab militants are no longer here”, Najah said.
He also said operations against Al-Shabaab will continue in the region and called on local residents to cooperate with the allied forces to ensure lasting peace.
There was no immediate comment from Al-Shabaab regarding the loss of these areas which they had controlled for the past two months.
Driven out of Mogadishu in 2011, the group still carries out deadly attacks and holds large swaths in south and central Somalia.
