Key town captured by Amisom in Somalia

African Union peacekeepers in Somalia have liberated the first major town since the beginning of the year.

The African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) announced that they captured Jannale — a stronghold of al-Shabaab — on March 17, 2020.

Amisom Force Commander, Gen Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn said the operation in the south eastern Lower Shabelle region involved Amisom forces and the Somalia National Army (SNA). Several Shabaab members were killed and others wounded, he added.

“Amisom jointly with Somali security forces have minimised the threat posed by al-Shabaab in the larger territory of Somalia, hence their fighting capability has been reduced to small-scale attacks on isolated targets,” Gen Wondimhunegn said.

Jannale, approximately 90km south-west of the capital Mogadishu, has been the hub for the terrorists’ operations and activities.

Brig Richard Otto, the Uganda Contingent Commander based in Sector 1, said that the town, with approximately 30,000 people, is currently under the full control of the joint forces – Amisom and SNA.

(TheEastAfrican)