Somali troops advancing - Photo HOL
Hiiraan Online
Monday, September 01, 2014
Mogadishu, Somalia (HOL) - Somali troops alongside AMISOM are on the brink of retaking the town of Jalalaqsi in Hiiraan region in central Somalia, army commander said.
General Mohamud Mohammed Hassan AKA " Qaafoow" said AU and Somali troops are in final push of retaking the town which is controlled by Islamist militant, Al-Shabaab.
General Qaafoow, the commander of the 12th April battalion of the Somali national army which is part of the operation " Indian ocean" told the VOA Somali service that AMISOM and Somali troops were on the brink of the town and its fall was imminent in the comming hours.
"Our troops and equipments are well-prepared and cannot be defeated, our soldiers are well trained and familiar with the environment ," he said.
Since the operation dubbed " Indian ocean" began , Al-Shabaab lost four towns and areas to AU and Somali troops.
According to general Qaafow, the Al-Shabaab fighters from the liberated areas fled towards the north but he didn't mention the name of the places they fled to.
The commander of the 12th April battalion, general Mohamuud Mohammed hassan also confirmed the operation which is now going on in the Shabelle regions will soon be expanded to other parts of the country where Al-Shabaab rules.
" all the liberated areas are in good condition now but we are asking the national government to bring food and water to the drought-hit civilians in these areas," general Qaafow appealed to the government
The general also added the government should bring special security police who will look after the peace and security of these recently liberated areas.
AMISOM and Somali government officials declared operation Indian ocean will wipe out Al-Shabaab from its last held areas and strongholds in south and central Somalia.
The first operation " eagle " earlier this year saw the militant lose many towns and strategic cities to AMISOM and the western-backed somali government forces.
Somali government has been struggling to contain an Islamic insurgency since 2006 and with the support of a 22000-strong African Union troops, the weak government made territorial gains from militants in recent years and mostly secured the capital, Mogadishu.