Al-Shabab Retakes control of Marka Town

Al-Shabaab fighters took control of Marka town which lies 110km South of Mogadishu on Monday after Somali National Army (SNA) troops left the town barely 10 hours after Al-Shabaab overran SNA military base where about over five soldiers were killed.

According to residents of the towns of Marka  forces from SNA pulled out of the town.

Speaking by phone to Goobjoog News local witnesses said the withdrawals were not accompanied by any armed clashes.

They said Al-Shabab fighters had assumed control of the town, where they urged local residents to “support the Mujahideen in liberating the country from the invaders”

Goobjoog new correspondent confirmed that military forces had left the towns but says it is an unclear reason behind the withdrawal.

AMISOM and SNA troops took the control of the town on 27th August 2012.

Al-Shabaab which was ousted from the capital, Mogadishu, in August 2011, but still, has a presence in large areas of southern Somalia and often stages attacks across the country.