http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26467047
6 March 2014 Last updated at 06:37 ET
Somalia's al-Shabab 'defeated' in Rabdhure town
Ethiopian and Somali government forces have seized a key town in central
Somalia from the Islamist militant group al-Shabab, officials say.
At least 12 people were killed in heavy fighting for control of Rabdhure
town in Bakol region, residents said.
The attack may signal the start of a new offensive against al-Shabab,
according to a BBC reporter in Somalia.
Ethiopian troops are part of a 22,000-strong African Union (AU) force
battling the militants in Somalia.
The BBC's Mohamed Moalimu in the capital, Mogadishu, says the fall of
Rabdhure is significant, as it was a major al-Shabab base for attacks
across the region.
It would be the first town the group has lost since September, when Mahaday
in central Somalia fell to AU-backed government forces.
Bombings and mortar raids
Residents told our reporter the fighting had lasted for several hours, with
both al-Shabab and Somali government forces suffering casualties.
Troops from neighbouring Ethiopia have vowed to help defeat the militants
Ethiopian forces did not suffer any casualties, they said.
Troops are now advancing towards Bakol's regional capital, Hudur, which is
controlled by al-Shabab, our reporter says.
This has fuelled speculation that a new offensive against al-Shabab, which
government officials have been threatening for a long time, is finally
under way, he adds.
Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, controls much of south and central
Somalia.
It lost control of Mogadishu in 2011, but has intensified bombings and
mortar raids in the city in recent weeks.
At least 12 people were killed in a suicide bombing near the security
service headquarters last Thursday.
Last month, al-Shabab fighters stormed Villa Somalia, the seat of
government in Mogadishu, killing at least 11 people.
The group has waged an eight-year insurgency to overthrow the weak
UN-backed government and create an Islamic state in Somalia.
Al-Shabab At A Glance
"The Youth" in Arabic
Formed as a radical offshoot of the Union of Islamic Courts, which
controlled Mogadishu, in 2006
Controls most of southern Somalia
Estimated to have 5,000 fighters
Announced merger with al-Qaeda in 2012
Received on Thu Mar 06 2014 - 08:31:10 EST