African Union, Somali troops recapture village in central Somali from Al-Shabaab

Somali and African Union forces have retaken Halgan village in Hiran region central Somalia, local officials said on Monday.

Halgan District Commissioner Mustaf Herow Nor told journalists that joint forces recaptured the village on Monday without facing any resistance from the militants.

"Militants pulled out from the village before the arrival of coalition forces. Our troops are now patrolling the village to impose security measures in the village," he said.

The government official said they removed several landmines planted on the roads by Al-Shabaab rebels before their withdrawal from the village.

Residents told Xinhua by phone that heavily armed forces arrived at the village, seizing without a fight.

"The situation is calm and government troops controlling the village completely," said Abshir Ahmed, one of the residents in Halgan village.

Government troops pushed Al-Shabaab out of Halghan two months ago, but the militants managed to retake control of the village. They lost its control on Monday.

Source: XINHUA