Militant Islamist group al-Shabaab has cut off the road leading from Mogadishu to Afgoye and Elasha Biyaha, erecting defences amid apparent concern that the pro-government offensive that saw new areas of Mogadishu taken from the insurgents could spread outside the city.
Al-Shabaab quit the majority of Mogadishu a few months ago, but left fighters behind in certain areas, leading to sporadic clashes. The AU and TFG on Saturday began a push to wipe out these remnants, and AMISOM Force Commander Major General Fred Mugisha said key points such as ex-control Bal’ad and the Pasta Factory were seized.
“They cut off the street and dug deep holes, so we can’t go to Afogye and Elasha Biyaha,” Muuse Hassan Osman, a local resident, told Somalia Report.
“We are not working today because al-Shabab cut off the street, we are sitting near the bus stop in Mogadishu,” Nor Abshir, a bus driver who plies the route to Elasha Biyaha, told Somalia Report.
The Afgoye corridor is a strategic route between Mogadishu and southern parts of Somalia, and is the main way to transport goods to these areas. Locals said dozens of trucks stuff with perishables and charcoal were marooned.
