MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Islamist militant al-Shabab fighters have re-captured a town in south of Somalia, after Kenyan forces vacated its army base.
It is second ground the insurgents have seized this year.
Kenyan forces serving under the African Union peacekeeping force, AMISOM withdrew from Buzar town in Gedo region, a resident said.
He says Kenyan forces’ withdrawal allowed the armed insurgents to take control of the town back.
“Buzar town is under Al-Shabaab control. The militants seized the town earlier on Tuesday, after sudden pull out by Kenyan forces”, he said.
The African Union troops from Kenyan contingent have been controlling the town for the last five years.
Kenya contributes more than 3,600 troops to the Africa Union mission helping the UN-backed government tackle al-Shabab in Somalia.
The Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab, which seeks to overthrow the Western-backed government was forced out of the capital Mogadishu in 2011.
