Galmudug forces take over Godonlabe village from Ahlu-sunna: residents

Galmudug  forces on Friday morning seized control of Godonlabe in central  from Ahlu-Sunna Waljama’a, a moderate Islamist group based in Somalia’s central regions, residents said.

Most of the fighters of the Ahlu-Sunna  left the village hours before the Galmudug forces with tanks moved in facing resistance from remaining Ahlu-Sunna fighters, residents said.

“The fighters fled before the forces arrived. There were some skirmishes outside the town but it is now largely peaceful,” Farah Abdi, a resident said.

Another resident who declined his named said three people were killed and several others were injured during the fighting on Friday.

Hundreds of women and children have started fleeing the area.

On Thursday, both Galmudug  forces and the fighters of Ahlu-Sunna Waljama’a fought in Godonllabe village which lies 30km south of Adado.

The clashes claimed lives of over four people.