AMISOM troops take port and airstrip from al-Shabaab

June 24, 2012

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The African Union Mission in Somalia announced on Saturday (June 23rd) that its troops have seized the strategic port of El-Maan and the nearby Esaley Airstrip from al-Shabaab.

The port and the airstrip, located almost 40 kilometres north of Mogadishu in Middle Shabelle, were key strategic sites for al-Shabaab to import arms and transit fighters in and out of the country. Al-Shabaab had seized the airstrip in 2006, blocking humanitarian access to the area.

"The successful offensive, launched by our forces, has enabled us to secure an extremely strategic entrance to Mogadishu," said Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti, commander of AMISOM forces. "Since the increase of the authorised troop strength to 17,731, AMISOM forces have been re-energised for the greater task ahead of bringing peace and stability to the rest of Somalia."

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