SNA troops liberate Luqa Jelow from Al-Shabaab

Somali National Army troops alongside Djibouti forces fighting under the AMISOM banner have recaptured a Central Somali town from Al-Shabaab fighters on Tuesday after several hours of fighting.

The SNA’s 27th Battalion Commander, General Salah Muse, said that his soldiers pushed Al-Shabaab back from Luqa Jelow after a brief firefight outside of Beledweyne.

There are no reported casualties.

The SNA freed two young men, who were held prisoner by the militant extremist group.

“Our fighters met the militants with firepower before we managed to push them back. We are thankful for our Djibouti brothers who played an important role in the battle. The town has now been liberated,” he told a scrum of reporters.

He added that the battle is part of a broader operation to liberate areas in Middle Shabelle from Al-Shabaab.