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Al-Qaeda’s Al-Shaabab retakes key town in central Somalia

September 18, 2017 at 12:30 pm

Members of the Al Qaeda-affiliated militant group Al Shabaab [Flickr/AMISOM]

Al-Shabaab has retaken a central town in Somalia following heavy fighting with government forces, All Africa news site reported yesterday.

The Al-Qaeda affiliated fighters launched an attack on the military base in Kalabeyr from two opposing sides triggering a heavy gun-battle for several hours in the early morning.

There is no indication whether any civilians were killed in the battle.

Al-Shabaab aims to take over the Somali government and govern by a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Since 2013, Al-Shabaab pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda, attracting the United States to execute raids and airstrikes against the group.

Read: Why did the US target Somali civilians hiding under banana trees?