Sunday, October 14, 2012
Somali government forces backed by African Union (AU) peacekeeping forces are spreading their control over territory run by Al-Shabaab rebels in the south of the Horn of Africa country.
The allied forces this week consolidated their control over the Wanla Weyn town, 93 km south of the Somali capital Mogadishu, as well as a former Somali air force base, 15 km away from the Wanla Wein.
The newly taken areas are strategically located along the main corridor linking Mogadishu to the southern town of Baidao, which is also under the control of AU and Somali government forces.
Wanla Weyn falls at a strategic junction linking the two Shabelle regions to Baidoa in the south and Beletweyne in the north of Somalia.
Officials say the capture of Wanla Weyn facilitates the aim of connecting Mogadishu to Baidoa.
Somali Defense Minister Hussein Arab Isse was among officials who paid a visit to the regained military base near Wanla Weyn. He said the capture of the town was a victory for Somalia and called on Al-Shabaab fighters to join the government troops.
“To Al-Shabaab fighters I call upon them to lay down their arms and join the ranks of their brothers. This is your country; these are your brother’s welcome to open arms. There is no other door open for you. Somalia is sovereign nation so come and join in building the future of your country,” the Somali defense chief said in the newly taken area.
AU and Somali government officials say the advance would to deny fleeing Al-Shabaab insurgents from seeking refuge and destabilizing other regions of Somalia.
The officials believe that the capture of this town denies Al- Shabaab another source of illegal income after a string of defeats and the loss of other major sources of revenue in a number of seaports along the coastal towns.
Al-Shabaab has lost a number of key towns in central and southern regions, in particular, the port city of Kismayo, the stronghold of the rebels.
Source: XinhuaNews
Well done Djibouti special forces for getting rid of foreign fighters from Somali soil. Rest assured our elite troops will be in Somalia to uphold security and ensure the complete withdrawal of san weyn Kenyan/Ugandan troops and raw-meat eating Habashi from Somalia. Both Djibouti and Somalia governments are in the process of signing a status of force agreement to allow Djibouti special forces to be deployed in strategic towns across Somalia to keep peace, protection of Somali natural resources, and deterrent to any foreign entity's proclivity to occupy and destabilize the Horn of Africa.
Jabuutawi why doesn't Ina Gelleh CREATE a UNION with Somalia and become the PRESIDENT of the Union?
I mean Somaliweyn was destroyed in 1977 when Djbouti refused to join as was agreed from SYL birth in Jigjiga back in 1950ies.
Ina Gelleh would make a good President of Moqadishu.
I highly doubt Djibouti wants to see a strong Somalia its Somali people yes but its government and the Afar population i sincerely don't think so. This is the same mafia family in charge of Djibouti today that betrayed Somaliweyn for their own greed for power.
Are you serious? Djibouti always cared about peace in the region. What about Arta Conference? We can't take sides in your fratricide, solve your own problems among your Hawiye. How can we be more concerned about your welfare from 1,000 miles than among yourselves? Your people are their own worst enemy; you need to get your own house in order before you talk about Somaliweyn and throw accusatory statements about why Djibouti betrayed the mirage called union.
Breaking News (shocking as it may be): There is a mafia family in Moqadishu, Hargeisa and little dusty town called Garowe as well.
We need to send you back french boot camp.
listen right there's no reason to throw tantrum your president Ismail Omar Guelleh is a dictator and his uncle Hassan Gouled Aptidon was traitor. The real hero of Djibouti that was assassinated was his Honorable Mr Mahmoud Harbi a real pro Somaliweyn nationalist may Allah have mercy on his soul.
I absolutely agree that Mahmoud Harbi (may Allah open the gates of firdowsa for him and other Mujahideen) was a nationalist. Look here though, to you guys Somalinimo/Somaliweyn concept is we run the country. Where is the fairness and total representation of all Somalis? If you truly want Somaliweyn, let us move the capital to Djibouti. Oh by the way, we will have a squadron of fighter jets and tanks sitting at Djibouti, lest you guys start acting like wild animals again…kkkkkkkk. I am all for Somaliweyn so long as all regions of Somaliweyn are equally invested and developed by a truly non-biased, representative and all-inclusive government – you hear me inan reer Irir.
@Jabuutawi
Beledweyne was liberated from Al shabaab by ethiopian & then given to Jiboutian on a plate, they havent done any fighting since deployed in somalia. Your troops are useless.
I never responded to your nonsense before but you are fair game going on forward. You guys are bitter because you got nothing going for you except piracy. That business matured back in the 16th century, it is no longer a growth industry contrary to what your father says.
what's worse then a pirate? Slave. Your a slave a french pie.
How is that haraam money being invested in dusty Garowe and Bosaso?
Puntlandgeezer your right,kkkkkkkk.