Al-Shabaab fighters on a battle wagon
Somalia's insurgent group al-Shabaab have vacated from Bohol-bashir village, 37 kilometer east of Luq district of Gedo region after Transitional Federal Government (TFG), pro-government militias of Ahlu-sunna Waljamaa (ASWJ) and Ethiopian troops left from Luq heading to Bay region.
Residents said the militant group abandoned the area late on Sunday which served as their logistical and operational base in south Somalia.
“All the militias and their vehicles deserted from their bases and their defense holes last night and settled 15 kilometer from the village,” Kadar Abtidon, a resident of Bohol-Bashir village told Somalia report.
“Their were new feeling of fear and movements in the village over the last three days and al-Shabaab asked the residents to take part of the Jihad, since Ethiopian troops and TFG are heading to Bay region,” he said.
Residents of luq district told Somalia Report that a large number of TFG, ASWJ and Ethiopian troops left from the district and based Malimu village near Bohol-bashir on Sunday.
“At least 20 Uural (Vehicles use Ethiopian troops) carrying Ethiopian forces and ten TFG and ASWJ cars left from the district heading to Bay region, I had information that they based Malimu village,” said a resident of Luq district on condition of anonymity, adding that Ethiopian troops seized civil cars forcing them to carry TFG and ASWJ troops to the fighting frontlines.
The TFG deputy chairman of Luq district, Isaak Horow confirmed to Somalia Report that their troops want to attack al-Shabaab bases in Bay region but refused that Ethiopian forces are accompanied with them.
“This is an order from Interior and defense ministers, Somali national forces were ordered to immediately reach Bay and Bakol regions,” he said. “Yes the forces were trained in Ethiopia, but no Ethiopian troops with us and the national forces have the capability to liberate their country.”
Somalia Report called al-Shabaab chairman in Gedo region, Sheikh Abas Abdullahi, but he did not answer his phone and no other immediate comments available from al-Shabaab officers in the region.
Gedo region has been a battle zone over the past view months and the government forces and their allied forces of ASWJ have been making some development. Recently al-Shabaab deployed most of their fighters in Gedo and both TFG, al-Shabaab vowed new offensive in the region.