Somali, African Union forces regain key territory from al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Somalia's National Army and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have regained control of Barawe from al-Shabaab.

The AU mission announced that Barawe, long considered an al-Shabaab "stronghold," was liberated during the second phase of Operation Indian Ocean on Sunday.

Acting head of AMISOM Hon. Lydia Wanyoto commended the Somali and AU forces on the success.

"I wish to share some very good news with the people of Somalia. Al-Shabaab terror capital Baraawe is now under Somali government control for the first time in 23 years, since the last government of President Mohamed Siyad Bare. This is the second major town that has been liberated since the operation resumed."

The joint force "rolled into the coastal town without much resistance from the terrorist group," the mission noted.

Barawe had been used by al-Shabaab as an import hub for arms and foreign fighters. It was also used to export charcoal to the Middle East, which the mission noted was "a lucrative multi-million dollar business that served as their main source of funding."

Al-Shabaab has been further weakened with this latest territorial loss. Somali and AU forces have retaken seven strategic towns from al-Shabaab since launching Operation Indian Ocean on Sept. 1. Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane was killed in a U.S. drone strike last month.