AMISOM withdraws from two localities in Lower Shabelle region

African Union peace-keeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops have withdrawn from more settlements in Lower Shabelle region that they previously captured from Al-Shabab fighters.

AMISOM troops have this morning only withdrawn from two bases in Kurtunwarey and K60 localities barely a week after a deadly attack at the AMISOM base in Janale, Lower Shabelle.

Kurtunwarey district commissioner, Abdirahman Sabdow Dahir told Goobjoog News said that all AMISOM troops in the town left the town without prior notice.

“AMISOM troops have vacated the town and now tension is high as people started fleeing,” said Dahir.

He added that Al-Shabab fighters can invade the town anytime as there were no capable soldiers to resist them.

“The administration and local forces are in the town but that cannot guarantee safety of the town” he said.

unconfirmed reports say that Al-Shabaab fighters have captured Kurtunwarey immediately African Union peacekeeping troops pulled out.

Elsewhere in K60 locality residents confirmed the withdrawal of the troops leaving the civilians at the mercy of Al-Shabab fighters.

The withdrawal of these forces comes days after reports from Gedo region noted that AMISOM and SNA forces had withdrawn from the town raising fears that Al-Shabaab which had been kicked out of the region might make a comeback.

Though Al-Shabab was pushed out of key towns in South and Central Somalia, the group has been able to hit high-profile targets in Mogadishu’s heavily fortified areas, including the national courts, the UN compound, the Turkish embassy, and popular gathering places such as hotels latest being Jazeera palace hotel.