Somali forces recapture strategic village in southern Somalia

Somali forces on Monday afternoon recaptured a village only 13 kilometers south of  the agricultural town, Afgooye barely a day after they lost its to Al-Shabaab fighters.

Somali forces flashed Al-Shabaab out of Muuri village following the group’s withdrawal from the village after burning the military base of Somali National Army (SNA) at the village.

On Sunday, the group’s military operation spokesman, Abdulaziz Abu Musab, said Al-Shabaab fighters killed senior army officials and seized vehicles and weapons during Sunday’s attack on Muuri village.

A local resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Somali forces abandoned the village on Sunday afternoon in fear of possible Al-Shabaab attacks but shortly after their retreat heavily armed Al-Shabaab fighters came in and begun erecting their black flags in the town.

Al-Shabaab have recently rammed up attacks against AU and Somali forces in the Lower Shabelle region, which has seen a surge of attacks.