Al-Shabaab recapture Bariire in southern Somalia shortly after national army exit

Al-Shabaab militants have wrestled control of Bariire town in Lower Shabelle region barely few hours after Somali National Army vacated the town.

One of the residents told Goobjoog News the militants stormed into the town briefly after the troops left at around 3am. “The Somali army left the town at around 3am and Al-Shabaab rushed in and now are in control of the town. Many people fled the town.”

The man, in his 60s said he returned to the town to check the situation even as people stayed away. “I came back to see how things are. We understand Somali forces are coming back.”

SNA operates a military base in Bariire which came under Al-Shabaab attack September 29 reportedly killing 17 soldiers. SNA and Amisom forces captured Bariire mid August this year.

The attack comes barely two days after both defense minister Abdirashid Mohamed and chief of defense forces General Ahmed Irfid quit their jobs.

Bariire located some 60 km south west of Mogadishu has an estimated population of 3000 people. It is made up of Waaberi, Dhaandhoole, Horsed, Buulo Muuse and Buulo Raahoole locations.