Al-Shabaab insurgent group have deserted the main Doofaarrey military camp, 45KM west of Bu’ale district in Middle Juba region on Thursday, after low flying jets were seen over the insurgent stronghold region during the last 12 hours, resident told Somalia Report. Reports from Middle Jubba say that al Shabaab fled to Ridaale village 15KM west of Bu’aale.
“All the militia and their military equipment vacated from the camp and are now based in Ridaale” said a resident in Bu’aale, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “I think they feared low flying jets flying over the area today”.
Also reports from Kismayo say that the jets seen flying over the town on Thursday night and al-Shabaab militia ordered the residents not to go out from their houses.
“A huge fear faced all Lower Juba community, after Western airplanes started to fly over those towns in the last three months. The residents were afraid of airstrikes” said Saynab Muktar in Kismayo after airplanes were seen around the airport area and the port”, “Tonight al-Shabaab ordered the people to remain their houses"
On June two believed American airstrikes hit al-Shabaab bases in Lower Juba killed several al-Shabaab officers among them foreign fighters.
Al Shabaab has also abandoned Middle Shabelle after fleeing Mogadishu last Saturday and El-Bur district in Galgaduud region.
The region has never welcomed the "Youth" and their efforts to drum up support led to their downfall.
The Rise and Fall of al Shabaab
On August 22, 2010 an estimated 2000 - 3000 al-Shabaab fighters attacked the Presidential Compound in Mogadishu.Within a couple of days 33 Somali's were killed including four members of the TFG. At this time last year Somalia looked ready to become a Caliphate ruled by orthodox islamists backed by al Qaeda. In September Eritrea began flying in weapons into Kismayo and soon large trucks loaded with weapons and ammunition began rolling into Mogadishu.
AMSISOM troops fought from fixed positions trading volleys of gunfire, heavy machine gun rounds and artillery but it wasn't until this spring that things started to go badly for al Shabaab. Fresh troops poured in, public support vaporized due to desperate drought conditions and finally al Shabaab lost its momentum.
The rapid withdrawal from Mogadishu was expected with little logistical support and increased pressure but this second level of fall back from Middle Shabelle is an indication that al Shabaab has lost much of its war fighting ability.
In June al Shabaab arrested 28 elders because they were slaughtering animals to bring rain. In July the insurgent group tried showing jihadi videos to drum up support and even kidnapped the newly appointed minister for Women and Family Affairs, Asho Osman Aqil. In August al Shabaab began demanding camels and recruits leading to direct conflict with the locals. As little as a day ago and just after the population had been banned from listening to VOA and BBC broadcasts, residents of Jowhar had been ordered to turn their satellite dishes towards Arab satellites.
Finally when a thousand or so fighters abandoned the capital city it left the insurgents in Middle Shabelle exposed to the threat of a counter attack by newly inspired government forces. And once again the mujahadeen who are not afraid to die had to take a break from their bullying of Middle Shabelle and hightail it to safety down south
