Al-Shabaab captures, then loses key Somali town on same day

Somali extremist group Al-Shabaab captured and then lost a tactically key town around 250 miles from Mogadishu to the government forces on Monday.

Mataban was reportedly left unguarded by the military, allowing the militants, who have links to Al-Qaeda, to enter the town, Anadolu Agency said.

Somali armed forces sources told Anadolu that they had regained the area from Al-Shabaab.

"The army was mobilized after the terrorists captured the town today, and now it is under our control," one said.

Mohamed Deeq, a journalist living locally in another Galmudug state village, told Anadolu that the army and Islamist extremists engaged in an intense battle around six miles from Mataban.

Death and injury tolls from the fighting are not yet available.

Al-Shabaab used improvised explosive devices to bomb a police station in Mataban prior to the military taking back the town, according to one witness.

"Mataban is now under the control of [the Somali National Armed Forces]," tweeted Hirshabelle state presidential aide Jihan Abdullahi Hassan on Monday. "Thanks to our heroes always."

Mataban is now under the control of @SNAForce thanks to our heroes always. #Hirshabelle, #Hiraan

— Jihan Abdullahi Hassan (@AbdullahiJihan) December 13, 2021

It comes the same day as paramilitary troops said they retook seven villages near Baidoa, the capital of South West State, situated about 150 miles from Mogadishu.