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AU, Somali forces capture village in central region

Xinhua, November 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Somali National Army (SNA), backed by troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), on Tuesday captured Mir-tugo village in the central Somali region of Middle Shabelle from Al-Shabaab militants.

Army official Abdullahi Mohamed told reporters the joint forces captured the area without any resistance from the militants.

"SNA and AMISOM captured Mir-tugo location near Mahaday town in Middle Shabelle region this morning. We were responding to complaints from locals here but the terrorists escaped when we advanced to the area," Mohamed said.

The latest military development comes as lower house elections are due to start in Jowhar town, the capital of Middle Shabelle region.

Islamist group Al-Shabaab has been driven out of major towns to rural areas in southern and central Somalia, but still carries out frequent attacks in the country.

The group has vowed to disrupt the ongoing elections in Somalia, prompting the joint forces to beef up security around polling centers.

Somalia prepares for presidential election due on Nov. 30. Parliamentary elections are ongoing in various parts of the country. Endit