Following intense clashes, government forces in Somalia have withdrawn from five cities situated in the central region of the country, which were captured by extremist group "Al-Shabaab," as reported by the Somali Guardian news portal.
The army's retreat from the towns of Wabho, Oswein, Budbud, Galad, and Masagaway within the Galmudug state happened on August 28, after two days of continued fighting. The publication notes that during the confrontations, government forces suffered 178 casualties among their ranks. Information regarding the losses sustained by the militants remains undisclosed.
The emergence of the Al-Shabaab group dates back to 2004 in Somalia. By 2010, the organization had gained control over significant territories; however, in the summer of 2011, it was compelled to vacate Mogadishu and transitioned into guerrilla warfare against the government and its allies. In February 2012, one of Al-Shabaab's leaders announced the group's affiliation with the terrorist organization al-Qaeda (banned in Russia).
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Photo: Master Sgt. Christopher DeWitt/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS