The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has denied reports that the militant group Al-Shabaab has recaptured the town of Sabiid in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia.
AMISOM says Sabiid is under the full control of the Somali government forces together with the mission’s support.
AMISOM accused Al-Shabaab and its sympathisers of resorting to propaganda and disinformation in the face of a decline in fortunes.
“Al-Shabaab and their supporters are at pain to come to terms with the loss of Sabiid and their inability to face the firm grip of the town by the Somali government forces,” AMISOM said in a post on its official Twitter account.
On April 2, AMISOM announced the successful liberation of Sabiid from the control of Al-Shabaab in a joint operation with the Somali National Army (SNA).
The AMISOM Head of Mission Ambassador Francisco Madeira then noted that control of such a strategic area will deny the militia the freedom to continue to terrorise Somali populations.
AMISOM said the success was an accomplishment in the implementation of the first phase of the Transition Plan in the region with the liberation of other important and strategic targets.
Somalia has been plagued by terrorism for more than a decade, perpetrated by the Al-Shabaab militant group. The war waged by the terrorists has killed tens of thousands and forced millions to flee their homes.
