Somalia: AU forces win major battle for northern Mogadishu
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Troops of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have secured two new positions outside the Somali capital, Mogadishu, after a fierce battle with the Al Shabaab, in a continuing effort to further their grip on strategic locations.
AMISOM officials said the group successfully advanced to consolidate their positions in northern areas of Mogadishu, Somalia, on Friday.
“The push forward enabled AMISOM, and the TFG forces, to secure the northern edges of the city,” the AU said. “AMISOM can confirm that Mogadishu University and Barakaat Cemetery are now under the Somali government’s control,” the statement said.
The Force Commander said that the operation started well, and the forces were able to quickly achieve their objective.
“Our troops fought bravely, achieving their objective to secure the Northern frontier of the city,” the AU official said.
Somali President Sharif Ahmed praised the troops on their successful battle on Friday, calling the success of the military operation a 'momentous achievement that marks a victory for the Somali people by the Somali National Army and AMISOM.
”I congratulated the men and women of our military, police and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to liberate this great nation from the tyranny of extremists,” said President Sharif.
Two AMISOM soldiers were injured during the fire fighting.
“This is the first time AMISOM has been able to secure an area outside the parameters of the city, allowing them to defend greater Mogadishu from the exterior,” the force commander said.
Recently, the AU requested the UN Security Council to increase troop levels to 17,000 soldiers and provide force enablers for them to secure the entire country.
Source http://www.afriquejet.com/somalia-au-forces-win-major-battle-for-northern-mogadishu-2012012131868.html
AMISOM officials said the group successfully advanced to consolidate their positions in northern areas of Mogadishu, Somalia, on Friday.
“The push forward enabled AMISOM, and the TFG forces, to secure the northern edges of the city,” the AU said. “AMISOM can confirm that Mogadishu University and Barakaat Cemetery are now under the Somali government’s control,” the statement said.
The Force Commander said that the operation started well, and the forces were able to quickly achieve their objective.
“Our troops fought bravely, achieving their objective to secure the Northern frontier of the city,” the AU official said.
Somali President Sharif Ahmed praised the troops on their successful battle on Friday, calling the success of the military operation a 'momentous achievement that marks a victory for the Somali people by the Somali National Army and AMISOM.
”I congratulated the men and women of our military, police and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to liberate this great nation from the tyranny of extremists,” said President Sharif.
Two AMISOM soldiers were injured during the fire fighting.
“This is the first time AMISOM has been able to secure an area outside the parameters of the city, allowing them to defend greater Mogadishu from the exterior,” the force commander said.
Recently, the AU requested the UN Security Council to increase troop levels to 17,000 soldiers and provide force enablers for them to secure the entire country.
Source http://www.afriquejet.com/somalia-au-forces-win-major-battle-for-northern-mogadishu-2012012131868.html
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