Tense of fighting prevails in Bula-Marer Locality

Military movement and tense of fighting between the forces of the Federal Government of Somalia and Al-shabab fighters rose at areas in Lower Shabelle region.

Eyewitnesses told Goobjoog News on Saturday that Military exercises and reinforcements rose in areas like Bula-Marer which is under full control of Somali government.

“We fear fighting could erupt at anytime because Al-Shbab moved to the frontlines to capture Bula-Marer town under Somali government,” said resident.

African Union troops fighting Somalia’s Shabaab fighters have pulled back from several key towns following a series of attacks by the al-Qaeda-affiliated fighters.

The withdrawal, a rare retreat after AU troops seized swathes of territory from Al-Shabab, includes the towns of Qoryoley and Awdhegele, Lego which some have since been taken over by Shabaab in Somalia’s southern Lower Shabelle region.

The government soldiers were reportedly started military movement and searched operations at areas located beyond Bula-Jarer town as they reached there and created tense situation in the areas.

Residents said that Somali government soldiers patrolling through the town adding that the people of the town felt great fears of possible fighting between the two sides.

This comes a day after The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Maman Sidikou said that AMISOM troops are not being withdrawn from any town or location which will in effect allow Al-Shabaab to return and brutalize peace-loving Somali citizens as they had previously done before AMISOM and the Somalia National Army (SNA) forces liberated these towns and locations.

“AMISOM and the SNA are currently re-adjusting and re-organizing troop deployments in order to revitalize an already effective strategy that has enabled the recovery, consolidation, expansion and control of over eighty percent of South Central Somalia by the Federal Government (FGS). This joint exercise by the AMISOM and the SNA leaderships will revitalize our joint operations against Al- Shabaab and further enhance security for our Somali brothers and sisters to continue to go about their lives in peace, safety and security.” Ambassador Sidikou has said.