Somalia Sep. 8, 2013 (Garowe Online) –Somali Federal Government troops backed by Ethiopians reportedly fought a fierce battle with Al Shabaab militants in Qansah-Omane vicinity of Bay region on Saturday afternoon, Garowe Online reports.
Local sources say that the fighting lasted for an hour with witnesses reported that Al Shabaab fighters fled Qansah-Omane.
Mohamed Aro As, the mayor of neighbouring Bay regional district of Bardaale said by telephone from an area close to the battlefield according to him, “We disbanded them [Al Shabaab] forcefully ,also we seized ammunition and weapons”.
On their side, Al Shabaab officials didn’t provide details to Somali media.
Qansah-Omane 24 KMs away from Baidoa, the administrative capital of Bay region had been one of few places remaining under the control of Al Shabaab.
Somali government forces with the support of AMISOM troops secured Baidoa in February 2012. In a pullout plan, Ethiopian troops vacated Bakool regional capital of Huddur which was quickly seized by Al Shabaab militants in March 2013 and in August, similar developments took place in Baidoa but Al Shabaab was unable to retake Baidoa due to the presence of AMISOM forces who were immediately located at Baidoa military bases including Hasey factory.
Ethiopian troops intervened southern Somalia in Dec-2006 and withdrew by Jan, 2009 but returned to Gedo, Hiraan, Bay, Galgaduud and Bakool border regions in early 2012 in support of Somali government’s stabilization operations.
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