The African Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (Aussom) and the Somali Armed Forces have recaptured strategic locations of Sabiid and Anole in the southern region from al-Shabaab, the AU mission said on Sunday.
Aussom said in a statement issued in Mogadishu that this followed a three-day joint operation, codenamed "Operation Silent Storm", which was aimed at liberating areas under al-Shabaab control in the Lower Shabelle region.
Aussom Sector One Commander Joseph Ssemwanga emphasised that joint operations would continue in Middle Shabelle until the threat posed by al-Shabaab is effectively eliminated. "Sabiid-Anole has become a strategic location since March, where terrorists plan deadly attacks, conceal ammunition, including vehicles for vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, and establish illegal checkpoints to extort locals," Ssemwanga said.
The two areas are often reffered as a single strategic area.
