Somali forces andAfrican Union troops have captured the strategic town from Al Shabaab insurgents, Radio Garowe reports.

Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces and African Union’s AMISOM troops entered the town of Afgoye midday Friday and captured the town without any casualties.

According to government sources, Al Shabaab insurgents fled the town the night before after Somali and AMISOM forces captured the town of Elesha Biyaha and were en route to Afgoye.

“Around midday prayers, our forces entered the town of Afgoye which we are in complete control of, after Al Shabaab agents fled the night before,” said Gen. Abdullahi Anood, a TFG General.

According to local sources, Al Shabaab agents fled north to Marko a port city and base for Al Shabaab in southern Somalia.

The town of Afgoye is located around 30kms south west of Mogadishu and was used as an axis point for the terror organization. The town and its many routes  was used by Al Shabaab to travel with little worry across southern Somalia.

UN’s Mark Bowden, expressed fears of civilian casualties upon hearing the AU and TFG’s operation to capture Afgoye. The town is home to 400, 000 internally displaced peoples (IDPs), who escaped conflict in Mogadishu and southern Somalia.

This the only town outside the region of Banadir which is made up of the greater Mogadishu area, that has been captured by AMISOM forces since the battle against Al Shabaab began in 2009.

The TFG alongside African Union forces have increased the battle against Al Shabaab capturing towns around Mogadishu used as bases to organize attacks in the war ravaged capital of Mogadishu.

TFG officials have vowed to expel Al Shabaab from southern Somalia, although the terror syndicate has lost much ground, they still control key cities and regions in southern Somalia. 

Source: Garowe Online – May 25, 2012

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