Somalilandpress.
Africa
LAS ANOD — One of Somalia’s latest semi-autonomous region has claimed its fighters backed by Ethiopian troops seized the strategic town of Beledweyne in Hiiraan province on Saturday – challenging government claims.
When the last diehard gunmen loyal to outlawed Al Shabab withdrew from the commercial town near the Ethiopian border– the transitional federal government (TFG) said it was victorious in Beledweyne. It stated it was in full control of the town including Jante-Kun-Dishe and Ugaas Khalif airport after its forces overran Al Shabab fighters. Locals reported the use of heavy artillery in the standoff that lasted from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and left scores dead and injured.
While claiming credit for the offensive, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed issued a letter saying: “the Somali National Army recaptured some Al Shabab-occupied territories.” The Sufi paramilitary group Ahlu Sunna, allied to the weak TFG, said their fighters joined the Ethiopians and TFG troops to besiege the town.
However on Sunday the claims of both groups (TFG and ASWJ) were rejected by a semi-autonomous region operating in parts of central Somalia. The information minister of Shabelle Valley administration (SVA), Mohamed Nuur Agajof, said government and Ahlu Sunna claims were dirty lies. He added that his forces controlled the town and they were restoring services to help them to consolidate their hold to Beledweyne.
“We urge residents to be watchful and report any suspicious persons or objects sighted to security forces. We also need you to reopen your businesses,” he said.
Locals reported seeing VSA fighters in the city center, central police station, state parliament and the central prison.
VSA, Ahlu Sunna, Al Shabab and the TFG are not the only warring factions claiming the town, the regional administration of Hiiraan State also lays claim to the town. Hiiraan State says Beledweyne is its administrative capital.
Shabelle Valley administration is one of several growing semi-autonomous regions dotted across what was formally known as Somalia following the toppling in 1991 of the regime of the one time dictator Mohamed Siad Bare. Somalia has been mired in violence and political infighting ever since. Somaliland on the other hand, chose to withdraw from its 1960 union with the south. It has managed to maintain relative stability and transformed itself into a democracy.
Somalilandpress
Email this storyBy Qalinle Hussein
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