4 killed as Ahlu-Sunna clashes with Al-Shabab in Galgaduud

At least 4 people have been confirmed died after Fighters of Somali Moderate Islamist group, Ahlu-Sunna waljama’a backed Ethiopian troops have combated Al-Shabab fighters in areas under Eel-Bur district.

The fighting embarked after the joint forces carried out operations to drive out from the regions.

Ahlu-Sunna commanders leading the fighters have confirmed to Goobjoog News that their fighters will move on till they recapture El-Dher district which is currently controlled by Al-Shabab fighters.

The group’s fighters have been advancing to Al-Shabab controlled areas in a bid to extend Ahlu-Sunna controlled areas in the region.

Meanwhile Ahlu-Sunna controls large swaths of Galgaduud region where the group declared its administration to parallel to the newly formed Galmudug state.

Elsewhere, Al-Shabaab which has been controlling large swaths of southern and central Somalia for years, is getting weak after great pressure exerted on it from different sides.

The word Al-Shabab, meaning “youth” in Arabic, emerged out of a bitter insurgency against Ethiopia, whose troops entered Somalia in 2006 in a US-backed invasion to topple the Islamic Courts Union that was then controlling the capital Mogadishu.

Al-Shabab fighters continue to stage frequent attacks, seeking to counter claims that they are close to defeat after losing territory in the face of repeated African Union and Somali government offensives, regular US drone strikes against their leaders and defections.