... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...snuffies have retreated from the strategic east banks of River Shabelle in midlands, following a series of offensives waged by the 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...
Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], which has been assisting the Somali National Army [SNA] to settle.
For the last one month, the al-Shabaab managed to move to the eastern parts of River Shabelle where they have been planning attacks before executing their plans. The eastern banks is where they have been hiding their vehicles used for suicide kaboom, authorities said in a statement.
Intense fighting between the ATMIS troops and the al-Shabaab was recorded throughout last month in eastern banks of River Shabelle, with al-Shabaab now forced to retreat. The ATMIS team was shelling the area to disperse the murderous Moslems, locals reported.
At some point, it needed the commander of the Land Forces Colonel Dayah Abdi to go there and mobilise the final push, which was concluded at the beginning of this week, authorities said. The ATMIS has been fighting to install local administration in strategic areas as part of Somalia's stabilization process.
According to analysts, the major hurdle remains whether the government and local fighters will hold those river crossing villages or retreat, and gift al-Shabaab another opportunity to return to Ciid Ciidka forest. The forest is viewed as a strategic point in the fight against al-Shabaab murderous Moslems.
For the last few months, al-Shabaab snuffies have suffered significantly in the frontline, losing key strategic areas to the Somali National Army and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia. Also monitoring the war closely are the US Africa Command teams.
The government of Somalia has waged sustained operations against the al-Shabaab, which have left more than 5,500 snuffies dead. In return, the al-Shabaab have been carrying sporadic retaliatory attacks in several frontlines, triggering a series of military activities across Somalia.