...... Somalia's version of the Taliban...Arabic for
students...
, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...
has reportedly set a base in the Mudug region, in what locals say could disrupt operations within the area, which has been enjoying peace and stability for a couple of months.
According to reports, the al-Shabaab Death Eaters established a base at Wisil town in Central Somalia, after many months of fighting with government troops who were based within the town which is considered strategic.
The Death Eaters are yet to make their entry to the town, but they have set a base a few miles outside, in what could trigger a fierce shootout with the government troops both from the federal government and those who are close to the Galmadug administration.
About two months ago, the Death Eaters engaged government and Galmadug troops in a fierce shootout, leading to a temporary seizure of the town. However,
denial ain't just a river in Egypt...
the Death Eaters were forced to pull back after a swift response from government forces.
In separate interviews with the media, residents said they are living in fear as an al-Shabaab assault on the town could be imminent. Galmudug
...a semiautonomous region in central Somalia, bordering Puntland on the north. Galmudug is not trying to obtain international recognition as a separate nation, but rather considers itself autonomous within the larger Somali federalism, for what that's worth...
and Federal forces vacated the area early last month in the build-up for the fighting in Guriel with Ahlu Sunna Waljamaa.
Already, the al-Shabaab Death Eaters are in full control of controls Ba'adweyn and Amara towns after it dislodged government forces in September. Authorities in Wisil are yet to respond to claims from locals who are now living in fear.
The Death Eaters are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed Somalia administration, but concerted efforts by the Somali National Army [SNA] and African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
Mission Forces [AMISOM] have led important battles, pushing the Death Eaters out of strategic areas.
For months, the mission troops and SNA soldiers have managed to liberate important towns across Somalia. The Horn of Africa nation is also planning to hold Lower House elections and the presidential polls later on in the coming weeks.