AU forces deny retreat from Al-Shabaab in Somalia

Africa Union peacekeepers in Somalia on Friday denied reports they have vacated key towns and locations in southern region following a string of attacks by Al- Shabaab fighters.

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Maman Sidikou said no AU troops have pulled back from towns and other locations which had been recovered from Al-Shabaab.

"AMISOM and the Somalia National Army (SNA) are currently re- adjusting and re-organizing troop deployments in order to revitalize an already effective strategy that has enabled the recovery, consolidation, expansion and control of over eighty percent of South Central Somalia by the government," Sidikou said.

Witnesses said the AU troops vacated key towns including Owdhiigle, and Qoryooley, and some villages, including Tora-Torow, Mubarak and Bariire in Lower Shabelle region on Wednesday night due to a series of attacks by the militants.

Osman Shiikhalow, resident in Owdhiigle told Xinhua that after AMISOM and government forces withdrew from the towns, Al-Shabaab fighters took the control of them.

"I can confirm that Owdhiigle and other villages under the control of Al-Shabaab, residents fear too much," Osman said.

Al-Shabaab has launched a heavy attack on AMISOM base in Lego area in lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia, claiming responsibility for killing 70 AMISOM solders, but African Union Peacekeepers admit later 50 soldiers killed in the attack. Endi