Somalia crisis: Dawn offensive against al-Shabab

Pro-government forces launching a major dawn offensive in the Somali capital, Mogadishu

Somalia crisis: Dawn offensive against al-Shabab

Pro-government forces have launched a major dawn offensive in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, to seize territory from al-Shabab Islamist militants.

A senior security official said that about 1,000 soldiers backed by 20 tanks captured three al-Shabab bases.

The African Union, which is supporting government forces, said this was the first offensive it had taken part in outside Mogadishu.

Troop support

Kenyan and Ethiopian troops have also recently dislodged al-Shabab.
The al-Qaeda linked group controls many southern and central areas of the country, but is now under attack on several fronts.

Troops from Djibouti have recently arrived in Mogadishu to bolster the 12,000-strong AU force, while the AU is asking the UN to approve a further 50% increase in troop numbers.

Al-Shabab made a "tactical withdrawal" from most of the capital last year but has continued to stage suicide attacks in the city.

It confirmed that the pro-government forces had gained territory, but vowed to hit back.

Attacks

On Thursday, six people were killed by a suicide bomb attack in a refugee camp.
Witnesses say the victims included a security guard and a local aid worker.

The bomb exploded just 20 minutes after a team of international journalists had left the Mogadishu camp.

BBC/Adekusibe/Cokey