Mon Oct 17, 2011 1:23PM GMT
Reddit
Somali government soldiers take positions during clashes with al-Shabab fighters in Mogadishu on October 10, 2011. (file photo)
Somali government forces have pushed back al-Shabab fighters in their stronghold of Lower Juba regions and captured three key towns in southern sector of the country near the border with Kenya, Press TV reported.
Transitional government troops seized Somalia's southern town of Bilis Qooqaani, located 448 kilometers (278 miles) west of the capital Mogadishu, on Monday.
Somali government soldiers also took control of Afmadow city, which is located in the middle of the Juba region and 620 kilometers (385 miles) south of the Somali capital of Mogadishu. The town was a strategic al-Shabab base in southern Somalia.
Government forces could also capture Tabataa town during a bloody battle with members of al-Shabab militant group on Monday.
Colonel Warsaame Cirffo Hassan, a Somali military officer, told Press TV that at least 81 al-Shabab fighters were killed during fierce clashes between the transitional government troops and al-Shabab fighters in southern Somalia on Monday.
Over 30 Somali government soldiers were also killed during the bitter skirmishes.
Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991 when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
MP/JR
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