Somalia retakes strategic town from al-Shabaab terrorists - AA

Somalia’s national army retook the strategic town of Mataban from the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab terrorist group Monday, officials said.

Mataban, located 405 kilometers (about 252 miles) from the capital Mogadishu, was seized by al-Shabaab earlier in the day after forces in Galmudug state reportedly left the town undefended.

Military officials who spoke to Anadolu Agency confirmed that the army had recaptured the town Monday afternoon.

“The army was mobilized after the terrorists captured the town today, and now it is under our control,” said one official, who declined to be named.