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Amisom captures key town in major operation
A UPDF soldier patrols Bulo Barer shortly after Amisom troops captured the town at the weekend. COURTESY PHOTO
What you need to know:
Bulo Barer Town was used as a recruitment centre for al-Shabaab.
Kampala-African Union forces from the Ugandan contingent and Somali National Army on Saturday captured Bulo Barer, a strategic town, in a major offensive targeting al-Shabaab held ports and towns, African Union has said.
The attack codenamed “Operation Indian Ocean”, launched last week, also led to the capture of other two small towns of Goolweyn and Jerlio.
The operation intends to deny the insurgents access to the sea which they have been using to ship in guns.
“During the early morning operation, al-Shabaab militants mounted resistance against Somali Forces supported by Amisom but they were overrun. The forces are currently consolidating the town,” a statement by Amisom reads.
Located 115 km southwest of Mogadishu, Bulo Marer has been under the militants and is a getaway to the port city of Baraawe and was used as a tax collection centre.
The statement did not mention casualties on both sides but Al-Jazeera news agency said two AU soldiers were injured and brought back to Mogadishu for treatment.
Amisom troops were headed towards Kurtunwarey Town, which is between Bulomarer and Baraawe.
Baraawe is the main revenue collection port for the insurgents and key al-Shabaab commanders are said to be operating in the area.
American commandos attempted to attack Baraawe in a botched operation last year after the West Gate shopping mall attack in Nairobi.
The Acting Special Representative of the chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Ms Lydia Wanyoto, was quoted in a statement, saying the capture of the towns was major victory for the Somalian army, Amisom forces and the Somali population.
“The capture of the towns by our heroic forces provides a major boost to our efforts to bring peace and stability to Somalia. The new offensive will facilitate for the extension of the Somali government control over its territory and enable people to leave freely from al-Shabaab tyranny,” Ms Wanyotto said.
