Somali National Army backed by US forces recaptured the Gambole town in Jowhar situated in Middle Shabelle region. The town was recaptured after the troops raided an al Shabaab camp in the town.
In a separate location, AMISOM forces recaptured Balád town in the same region from al Shabaab militants who had seized control of the town temporarily. The offensive attack by the government and allied force are in line with the October 2017 operation to recapture the terrain south-central Somalia from al Shabaab.
The US and AMISOM troops in the Lower Shabelle region have been on high alert as well as conducting coordinated offensives against the al Shabaab still present in the area. The al Shabaab, affiliated to the al Qaeda has been seeking to topple the Western-backed government and establish strict, harsh sharia law.
