Somali forces retake key town in Al-Shabaab stronghold

African Union and Somali forces have captured a strategic town in Somalia, All Africa reported yesterday.

The town of Bariire, 27 miles from Mogadishu, was retaken along with a strategic military base in the Al-Shabaab stronghold. A fierce gun-battle with Al-Shabaab forced the group to retreat after the African Union and Somali national army attacked from three different sides of the town.

Seven civilians were killed and four injured in the operation to recapture the town of Bariire. There were no reports of involvement by the United States Special Forces.

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Baiire was a key town to retake for the African Union and Somali troops as Al-Shabaab was using the strategic military base to launch attacks in the capital Mogadishu.

Al-Shabaab calls for the implementation of a strict version of Islamic law. The group regularly conducts improvised explosive attacks across the country to destabilise the government and security forces.