Somalia's Shebab group recaptures port from AU troopsFebruary 5, 2016 - 16:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Somalia's Shebab insurgents retook their former stronghold of Merka on Friday, February 5 from African Union troops who pulled out of the port they had held for three-and-a-half years, the governor said, according to AFP. The loss of Merka, the regional state capital of Lower Shabelle, is one of the biggest setbacks for the AU force in its nearly decade-long battle against the Shebab. "The AU troops pulled out of the town and Shebab militants entered -- and have secured control without fighting," Ibrahim Adam, governor of the Lower Shabelle region told reporters. The historic port, some 100 kilometers south of the capital Mogadishu, was captured in August 2012 by African Union troops. It is one of the first major towns the Shebab have seized back and it gives them access to a sea port again. There was no immediate response from AMISOM or government officials, AFP says. Residents confirmed the takeover, saying heavily armed Shebab fighters swept into the town with Islamist black flags, before addressing residents. "AMISOM forces moved out at midday and the local administration and all other Somali security forces left a few minutes later - and then heavily armed Shebab militants entered the town," said Ibrahim Mumin, a local. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Erdogan wants “realistic road map” for relations with Armenia Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a “new realistic road map” for relations with Armenia. Armenia-Azerbaijan: Experts launch work on determining coordinates Expert groups from the countries started the process of determining the coordinates based on geodetic measurements. Yerevan says did not expect CSTO in peacekeeping role Pashinyan has declared that the CSTO would be expected to come to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border as an ally of Armenia Henrikh Mkhitaryan wins Serie A title with Inter Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits that the team have long been imagining clinching Serie A against AC Milan. |