An army report said that the Hawadley district, located about 40 kilometers north of Mogadishu and linking the central and southern regions of this territory, was taken after the radical formation withdrew its forces from the area, after clashes with government forces.

Following the action, Colonel Abukar Boonow, military supervisor, told the local press that a base of operations will be established in the Hawadley area in order to protect nearby areas, including the districts of Jowhar and Balad.

In a separate report circulated in the last hours, the national army also reported the death of some 30 insurgent fighters during clashes in the southern region of Xawaadley.

As a result of the offensive unleashed by the Somali troops against the Al-Shabab group, more than half a thousand fighters of the extremist militia were killed in the last three weeks in this country, while some 40 localities were liberated, according to a military organization.

pgh/arm/mv/obf