Fierce clashes erupted in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle province as Somali Government troops and allied Foreign forces launched a ground assault targeting the Al Shabaab controlled town of Janaale.
Sources that spoke with Halgan Media on condition of anonymity reveal six unmarked helicopters where spotted hovering over the town of Janaale shortly before the assault began. A joint contingent of Somali, US and AMISOM forces stationed nearby shortly later began the ground assault.
The joint contingent where traveling in 47 convoys while in route to the Al Shabaab controlled town of Janaale according to sources. Upon reaching the periphery of the town, the Somali and allied Foreign forces came under heavy fire from Al Shabaab militants, sparking fierce clashes.
The coalition forces where able to withstand the hail of Al Shabaab bullets and penetrate the Militants line of defense. The Somali, US, and AMISOM forces entered the town of Janaale shortly after the clashes.
Upon entering the town a military convoy carrying the coalition forces struck a roadside bomb. Per sources the vehicle was severely damaged and engulfed in flames. The casualties from that blast still remain unknown.
The armed group Al Shabaab withdrew from the town shortly after the encounter, as the strategic town of Janaale fell to coalition forces. The expulsion of Al Shabaab from Janaale comes five years after Militants previously overran the town after killing dozens of Ugandan troops.
The town of Janaale has been scene of unprecedented violence over the past week alone. The violence was a result of US aerial bombardment and AMISOM shelling. The latest ground assault by Somali, US and AMISOM forces is a continuation of that violence.
On the night of March 10th US drones bombed the town of Janaale, killing 6 people and wounded 4 others. All the victims where identified as civilians according to family members that spoke to local media. As expected, the US military denied the civilian casualties and labelled the victims as terrorists.
Just last night on the 15th of March, the Foreign troops from Uganda under the pseudo AMISOM indiscriminately shelled the town of Janaale killing 4 civilians and wounding 11 others.
We will keep you updated with the latest developments from the region.
Halgan Media Service Desk
