Al-Shabaab seize key town in Somalia

Al-Shabaab overtook the town of Goofgaduud from the Somalian and southwest state armed forces yesterday, killing 17 soldiers in the attack, Garowe Online reported.

The captured town is 30 kilometres north of Baidoa. This is the latest town to be taken by the group which seeks to take control and govern Somalia. Throughout this year, the town has been captured by different parties to the conflict, with the African Union troops regularly retaking the town by pushing out Al-Shabaab fighters.

A senior military commander, Abdullahi Sheikh Mohamed said allied forces retreated from the fight strategically to Baidoa town and plan to recapture Goofgaduud from Al-Shabaab.

Sheikh Abdulaziz Abu Musab, Al-Shabaab’s military spokesperson announced the capture of the key town but did not mention the number of casualties.