Empty streets, bullets and destruction is the view of Masjid Ali Gadud Village which was officially taken from the hands of the Somali militant group al-Shabab which controlled the town for more than 15 years.Â
The Somali National Army with the help of the local people took control of the Ali Gadud Mosque area in the Middle Shabelle on Sunday.
Drones aided offensive operations conducted by the Somali Army with the Support of Africa Union Forces helping Somali security agencies.Â
Masjid Ali Gaduud has been a frontline between Somali Forces who have instituted a Forward Operating Base and al-Shabab which has been controlling the town.
Hundreds of Militants were killed in the operation to flush out the group which has besieged governments in Mogadishu for close to 15 years.Â
The successful offensive follows recents military advancements by the Somali Army in pursuit of al-Shabab to remove them from parts of central and southern Somalia.Â
The liberation of the latest town came just a day after Somalia’s government said the military forced al-Shabab out of 30 villages in clashes this month that killed more than 200 militants.
Majority of the residents have fled the town for fear of their lives as Somali Army and the militants clashed for control of the Strategic Town in Hirshabelle State.Â
Telecommunication services which had been disrupted since the war for control of the village have resumed after the liberation.
The Somali government has promised to provide community services which will be delivered to the area, while calling on the military offensives to advance operations targeting the Al-Shabaab.
The Somali government has pledged to support liberated areas with food and non food supplies and open humanitarian corridors to allow victims of al-Shabab blockade get aid.
The militants with links to al-Qaeda control much of rural, central and southern Somalia.Â
The group harbours territorial ambitions against Kenya and Ethiopia, and has carried numerous attacks outside Somalia.Â
