Mogadishu (Hornpost) Reports from Somalia say that the Burundian forces that are part of the African Union operation have withdrawn from their base in the town of Hawadley in the Middle Shabelle region, and after their withdrawal, the town was captured by al-Shabaab.
African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM):
The African Union Mission for Support and Stabilization of Somalia (AUSSOM) said that its troops from Burundi have retreated from the strategic city of Hawadley, which is about 34 km north of Balcad district in the Middle Shabelle region.
AUSSOM said that the reason they left Hawadley was because of the flood in the city.
A press release from the operation said that a helicopter that was participating in the evacuation of the Burundian army malfunctioned, which forced the pilot to land the plane safely and at the same time the crew and soldiers were rescued and taken to the base closest to safe.
“We applaud the immediate action taken by AUSSOM forces in Burundi during critical operations, and we reaffirm that we continue to support the people and the Federal Government of Somalia to reduce the effects of floods,” said Kareem Adebayo, Acting Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) in Somalia.
AS said they shot down a plane from African forces:
al-shabaab broadcast a different news saying that their fighters shot down and they are in control of the wreckage of the plane. Al-Shabaab did not say whether the plane was damaged or not.
Hawadley District Administration in the Middle Shabelle Region
The governor of Hawadley area in Hirshabelle, engineer Ibrahim Bashir Omar, who spoke to the media while in Jowhar town in the Middle Shabelle region, said that their departure from the area was a military strategy and they were not far from the town.
“Lately, the water district has been flowing as I said before and the water has overflowed the Shabelle river. The flood has entered the district. After the flood came, the army made a strategy to retreat,” said engineer Ibrahim.
Governor Ibrahim said that the AUSSOM forces themselves were affected by the flood and he said “They themselves did not even leave but they are near the outskirts of the area” said engineer Ibrahim who added that they have no fear or concern, now we have arrested seven people and we are looking for the rest”
Importance of Hawadley Area:
The disputed area is important for the movement of the central and southern regions as the Hawadley Bridge connects the central and southern regions of Somalia.
Hawadley is located about 50 km north of Mogadishu.
Hornpost staff Reporter
