1st LD Writethru: Al-Shabaab captures key town in northern Somalia

Al-Shabaab militants on Monday took control of Garacad town in Puntland, northern Somalia and later raised their flag in the city centre, officials and residents said Tuesday.

Mayor of Garacad town Abdinur Abdullahi Hersi said the coastal town, which is located in the Mudug region, was seized without resistance by dozens of militants who have arrived there with three boats.

Hersi said insurgents including foreign jihadists stormed the town and took over the town.

"Al-Shabaab fighters captured the town. They came here in boats and residents are evacuating. I have also fled the town, the armed militants came from Haradhere town in Mudug region in hundreds," he added.

Al-Shabaab controls Harardhere town and several key areas in Mudug and Galgaduud regions of central Somalia, whereas Galmudug state is planning to take over and expand its administration.

"Al-Shabaab who were armed entered into the town from the shores and they immediately raised their black flag inside the town. Some of them are masked and foreigners are among them, but I cannot tell you their exact number," said one of the residents.

Garacad is 700 kilometers to north of the Somali capital Mogadishu and it is the first town under Puntland State to have been captured by Al-Shabaab fighters since Puntland forces defeated the group in the northeast region of Bari a year earlier.

Garacad was once a pirate hub which is administered by the Somalia's autonomous state of Puntland. The group suffered great loss from airstrike last week in the south and central Somalia. Endit