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Somali, AU Forces Capture Shabab Stronghold

Mohamed Olad Hassan

   WASHINGTON - Somali government troops, backed by African Union (AU)
   forces, have taken control from the al-Shabab militant group of a
   strategic town in the Lower Shabelle region, freeing dozens of children
   in the process, residents and official said.

   The town of Kuntuwaarey, in the southwest of Somalia, located 208
   kilometers from the capital, Mogadishu, has for many years been a
   strategic stronghold for al-Shabab.

   The "Somali National Army, backed by units from the African Union
   peacekeepers, have taken control of this strategic town from the
   militants," said Isaq Ali Subag, the minister of internal security for
   the region.

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