Troops from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and Somali National Army (SNA) has recaptured El-Baraf military base in the Middle Shabelle region, southwest Somalia, two weeks after Al-Shabab militants seized it from Burundi contingent.
Tabane Ahmed Gurey, the SNA commander in the operation, told journalists in Mogadishu that the joint forces had taken control of the base, even as they intensified an onslaught on Al-Shabab fighters.
“We confirm that the joint forces, ATMIS and SNA are now in full control of El-Baraf base at the moment, and the operation started this morning and still continues inside and outside the base to enhance safety and security,” Gurey said.
The Al-Shabab militants on May 3 captured the base where Burundian forces under AU military base were stationed and claimed to have killed 173 soldiers and arrested dozens.
Despite being driven out of Mogadishu, the militant group still stages guerrilla-style assaults and bomb attacks to drive out AU mission’s troops from Somalia.