Somali Military Takes Control Of Town In Southern Region

Somali military soldiers were reported to have taken control of a key city in Lower Shabelle region, near the country’s capital, Mogadishu on Sunday.

The troops loyal to General Abdullahi Ali Anod moved from a nearby Shalanbod and rolled into Marka city, which has been changed hands between Al-Shabaab and Somali forces.

“Somali forces loyal to general Ali Anood who turned to renegade after he was sacked by President Farmaajo days ago seized the port city of Marka,” said a local resident.

The city has been fully retaken by Somali and African Union forces in 2012 from Al-Shabaab following an offensive which also led to the liberation of key other towns.