Al Shabaab insurgents have seized the strategic town of Tardo in Somalia’s central Hiiran region, driving out government-allied clan fighters and displacing thousands of people.
The militants, known for their brutal tactics, are pressing on with their advance, with Somali forces and local clan fighters mobilizing for a counterattack.
According to Major Mohamed Abdullahi, a military official, the town fell on Sunday after al Shabaab fighters overwhelmed the government-allied clan fighters.
The capture of Tardo, a key crossroads linking larger urban centers, could help al Shabaab move on to other bigger towns.
A local elder, a clan fighter, and a regional lawmaker confirmed the capture of Tardo, which has already led to a significant displacement of people.
At least 12,500 families have fled Tardo and the nearby town of Muqokori, which al Shabaab claimed to have captured last week.
Al Shabaab has been waging an insurgency in Somalia since 2007, seeking to topple the central government and establish its own rule based on strict Islamic law.
The group’s offensive in the region has escalated since early this year, with previous advances reaching within 50 km of the national capital Mogadishu.
The Somali government is working to recapture the towns from al Shabaab, with about 100 soldiers deployed to reinforce local fighters.
However, the group’s continued advance poses a significant threat to the country’s stability and security.
