The Federal Government of Somalia has deployed additional troops in the Middle Shabelle region following a surge of al Shabaab attacks against the SNA and AMISOM forces stationed there.
A military source has confirmed the deployment saying that the troops are advancing on the Al Shabaab-held areas in the region, to flush out the militants from their bases. The troops are part of an operation that is focused on ridding the region of al Shabaab elements as well as liberated militant-controlled areas.
The deployment comes days after Shabaab has staged attacks against Somali and AU troops in Middle Shabelle region and briefly seized control of Bal’ad, some 30Km north of Mogadishu.
Al-Shabaab has been battling to topple Somalia’s Western-backed government for over two decades to install strict Sharia rule in Somalia and is the Al Qaeda affiliate in East Africa.
