SNA retakes Runir-good town a day after deadly clashed

Somali National Army recaptured Runir-god town, 180 kilometers north of the capital Mogadishu on Monday barely a day after heavy fighting with Al-Shabaab.

Runir-good which is located in Middle Shabelle region, central Somalia was seized by Al-Shabaab forces on Sunday where the group claimed to have killed over twenty government soldiers.

Da’uud Haji who is the spokesman of Middle Shabelle said the forces managed to capture Runirgood Monday without the help from AMISOM, the African Union troops in Somalia.

“ Al-Shabaab vacated the town we have taken the control of the town and our soldiers pursuing the group” said Haji.

The move comes a day after Al-Shabab fighters attacked and recaptured the town where they killed 22 Somali soldiers.

A local resident said dozens of armed al-Shabab fighters stormed Runirgod, setting off a suicide car bomb before launching a major attack from three directions on Sunday morning.

Residents said the militants raised their black banner over the town.

Despite being ousted from major strongholds across Somalia, al-Shabab, allied to al-Qaida, has recently been attacking military positions of Somali and African Union troops bolstering Somalia’s government.

Lower and Middle Shabelle region still remain as the main stronghold of Al-Shabaab after it was expelled from other regions in security operations.