Bardhera (INO) —-An alliance of Somali troops and African Union forces have overrun a key rebel stronghold in southwestern Somalia Wednesday, in a new setback for the Al-Qaeda linked group which faces multi-pronged offensive across Somalia.
Military officials said the allied forces took full control of Bardhere, one of the last key Al-Shabab stronghold as well as a major taxation revenue source after days of gradual advances which saw troops seized strings of towns from militants on their way to the town.
“Bardhere was fully liberated and residents are now rejoice life after the brutal terrorists,” Ahmed Mohamed, a senior Somali military official told HOL by phone from Bardhere.
Bardhere lies on a major road that links both Gedo and Bay regions and the town has served as a launching pad for the group’s attacks inside the neighboring Kenya.
AlShabab has not so far commented on the loss of Bardhere which has been under its control for the last seven days.
AlShabab which lost territory to the allied AU and Somali forces for the past few years still controls few towns, mostly in south.
Thousands of residents fled the town for the past few days in anticipation of a fighting as humanitarian agencies warned a new humanitarian situation if fighting for the town’s control dragged on.
Security experts say that the new military operation led by AU forces is seen as a response to the al-Shabab’s recent deadly attack on an African Union military base in which dozens of soldiers were killed. The fighters have also looted the base.
Bardhere, an important agricultural town in southwestern Somalia was one of the few remaining sources of income under Al-Shabab control where they taxed the town’s bulky agricultural productions.
Idale News Online, Bardhera
