Government Clash with Insurgents in Jowhar

Reports we have received from the City of Jowhar, which the capital of Middle Shabelle region say that brief but intense clashes between forces loyal to Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Al-Shabaab forces that control the city took place int the city today.

The leader of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) for Middle Shabelle Mr. Sheik Daahir Adow Alasow told reporters that their forces carried out military operations in the city and chased away insurgents from certain
areas.

Sheik Dahir added that their forces returned to their bases after the operations and that their operations were meant to carry out specific military operations in the city, particularly near the bridge.

These latest clashes come at time when ICU forces battled another insurgent group, Hisbul Islam, for control of Mahadaay on thursday, another important city in Middle Shabeele region. The battle allowed ICU forces to briefly gain control fo the city before returning to their bases.