Somalia, AU seize several Al-Shabaab regions in central Somalia

Somali National Army (SNA) backed by the African Union peacekeeping troops on Saturday took control of several locations in Middle Shabelle region in central Somalia from Al-Qaida linked group Al-Shabaab, officials said.

Spokesman of middle Shabelle region Administration Da'ud Haji Iro said the joint forces took control of Runir-god, Nur-dugle, Ad-adey locations in Middle Shabelle regions after operation against the militants early Saturday.

"SNA and AMISOM forces jointly carried out the operation against the terrorist group in this region, all areas captured from Al-Shabaab are calm now," Iro said.

"There was resistance from the group during the operation, but no casualties. The joint forces are to liberate the rest of the region from the militants soon," he added.

AMISOM which crossed into the Horn of the African nation in 2007 and which has a long comprised of Kenya, Ethiopia, Ugandan and Burundi troops have registered a string of successes against Al-Shabaab militia who had seized much of the central and southern Somalia.

The latest victory over Al-Shabaab came a day after the Somali and AU forces captured Booco neighborhood, 55 km south of Beledweyne town in Hiiraan region early Saturday.

Source: XINHUAS