Late this evening US special forces and AMISOM troops abruptly withdrew from the town of Janaale in the Lower Shabelle province. This unexpected withdrawal just comes hours after a joint contingent of Somali, US and AMISOM seized the town from the Militant group Al Shabaab.
According to sources that spoke with Halgan Media on condition of anonymity, the foreign forces abruptly abandoned the town late this evening. No reason was given for the sudden troop withdrawal.
However Somali government troops are still stationed in the town. Hundreds of fighters loyal to the Al Qaeda affiliated Militant group Al Shabaab are reportedly within the periphery of Janaale town.
It’s not clear how long the troops will be able to hold the town. Somalia’s non existent and rag tag national army mainly consist of former militiamen and child soldiers, which have made them incapable of withstanding Al Shabaab attacks.
The armed group Al Shabaab began there rule over Janaale after Ethiopian troops withdrew from southern Somalia in early 2009. The militants ruled the town with an iron fist until 2012, when they where pushed out of the city by Somali Govt troops and allied Foreign forces.
The Jihadists regained control of the town in 2015 after overrunning the town during a ground assault, that left dozens of Foreign troops from Uganda dead. Al Shabaab officially lost full control of the town earlier today, following a joint operation by Somali, US ana AMISOM forces.
Halgan Media Service Desk
