Mogadishu-27 August, 2012:  Somalia troops with the assistance of the African Union Mission Troops, have this morning pushed Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists out of Marka, the third-largest port in Southern Somalia.

The dawn operation met little resistance as the AMISOM and Somali National Army troops steadily advanced to Shalamboot and established a defensive position there.

Located 90 kilometres south of Mogadishu, Marka has been under the brutal rule of the extremists since November 2008. In recent months, many of the al Shabaab’s top commanders have been fleeing towards the town following a string of defeats by the allied forces. The capture of Marka is also critical for AMISOM future operations to liberate the city of Kismayo, the extremists’ largest source of illicit revenue.

This important achievement comes at a critical time for Somalia as the country’s newly inaugurated Parliament prepares to elect a Speaker and President for the country, and bring to a close 12 years of transitional governments.  Read the full story

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African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM)
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