Al-Shabaab seizes strategic Teedaan in Somalia

Al-Shabaab has taken control of Teedaan in central Somalia's Hiiraan region after nearly 24 hours of fighting with government forces, according to local accounts.

The Islamist insurgent group said it “took control of the strategic area of Teedaan in eastern Hiiraan” after fighting on its outskirts. It also said it had seized weapons, vehicles and other military equipment.

Hassan Ciyow, a traditional elder from a nearby town, said government forces and local militias had left their positions in Teedaan by Sunday afternoon, after which Al-Shabaab fighters entered and took control.

Teedaan lies on a major road linking several localities in Hiiraan to the Galgaduud and Middle Shabelle regions. Control of the area could ease Al-Shabaab's movements and allow the group to collect revenue by taxing private and commercial vehicles using the route.

Ciyow said the clashes caused casualties on both sides, but no toll was given. Adan Yusuf, a member of the local militia, said government forces had established new positions on the outskirts of Teedaan while Al-Shabaab fighters were already “digging trenches in the village”.

The Somali government had not responded to the capture of Teedaan. On Saturday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told parliament that Al-Shabaab was “facing one of its most difficult periods since its formation, with its military, economic and social influence steadily declining”.

Somalia has been fighting the Al-Shabaab insurgency for around two decades, but the militants still control large parts of the country. Last month, Somalia's army and allied militias suffered a major setback after Washington announced plans to end funding for UN logistics support by the end of the year, a key pillar of the African Union mission AUSSOM's operations against Al-Shabaab.