Saturday January 14, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somalia's al Shabab militants have withdrawn from the Haradhere district in the Mudug region, the group's main stronghold, after joint forces approached the district in recent hours.
The joint operation involves the Somali National Army supported by local clan militia forces and Puntland and Galmudug security forces to liberate the district under al Shabab for several years.
Reports say that the group has ordered residents to leave the district, which increased the tension in the district, which has increased tensions, but government officials have not commented on this.
Reports added that the joint forces have yet to control the district fully.
Security experts believe that the recapture of Harardhere, the group's main base in the Galmudug administration's Mudug region, will boost the morale of government forces.
Seven months of fighting has seen al-Shabab pushed out of territory it has controlled for years.
But the militants have also been on the offensive.
This story is developing.