... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...bully boys, security sources and residents said Saturday.
The military buildup comes amid heightened tensions following weeks of festivities in the contested area, particularly around the Ceel Hareeri—Aadan Yabaal corridor.
Senior Somali National Army (SNA) officers have arrived in the region to oversee operations aimed at reclaiming territory from the jihadist group, which has recently made territorial gains in parts of Middle Shabelle.
"The forces are preparing for an offensive to push al-Shabaab out of strategic areas," a local security official told Shabelle Radio on condition of anonymity.
The federal government has also delivered new arms and supplies to the Macawiisley, a community militia allied with the SNA, in a bid to strengthen the campaign against the bully boys.
Military activity is said to be concentrated around Ceel Baraf and Aadan Yabaal, areas considered flashpoints in the conflict. Residents fear that a new round of violence could erupt at any moment.
Al-Shabaab, which has waged a bloody insurgency in Somalia for over 15 years, continues to control swathes of rural territory despite pressure from Somali and 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...
forces.