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Africa Horn

Al-Shabaab briefly seizes town in central Somalia

2021-12-14

[Garowe] al-Shabaab

...... an Islamic infestation centering on Somalia attempting to metastasize into Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and similar places, all of which have enough problems without them...
Lions of Islam on Monday retook a strategic town in Central Somalia albeit temporarily, in a drastic move that could yet again raise questions about the ability of Somali government forces to effectively handle insecurity incidents.

The al-Qaeda linked group seized Matabaan, a key town in the Hiran region on Monday according to the residents who spoke to Garowe Online by phone. The Lions of Islam raised their black banner on top of Matabaan's police and administrative offices to show their arrival.

According to reports, the Lions of Islam temporarily took over control of the town when Galmadug coppers who were tasked with manning the area left for unknown reasons. Once Somali National Army [SNA] seizes important towns, they hand them over to other security forces.

The latest reports from Matabaann town indicate that the al-Shabaab fighters have left the town as government troops mobilize in Guriel to head to the area. Before leaving, the Lions of Islam reportedly destroyed the town’s cop shoppe by detonating explosives.

The development comes just days after government forces in Guriel faced Ahla Sunna Wal Jamaa [ASWJ] in the region, leading to the death of dozens. The ASWJ militia was once an ally of the federal government of Somalia before cutting ranks.

The Somali government has been battling against al-Shabaab Lions of Islam with the help of African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
Mission Forces [AMISOM] in the region. Although the troops have not managed to completely vanquish al-Shabaab, important gains have been made.

Posted by:trailing wife

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