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Somalia al-Shabab militant base of Baidoa captured | Somalia al-Shabab militant base of Baidoa captured |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Ethiopian and Somali troops have taken a strategic stronghold of Islamist militants in south-western Somalia. | Ethiopian and Somali troops have taken a strategic stronghold of Islamist militants in south-western Somalia. |
Eyewitnesses told the BBC that about 50 vehicles, including some 20 tanks, had entered Baidoa, which was not defended. | Eyewitnesses told the BBC that about 50 vehicles, including some 20 tanks, had entered Baidoa, which was not defended. |
The BBC's Mohamed Dhore in the capital, Mogadishu, says Baidoa was the most important al-Shabab base after the southern port of Kismayo. | The BBC's Mohamed Dhore in the capital, Mogadishu, says Baidoa was the most important al-Shabab base after the southern port of Kismayo. |
Al-Shabab, which has recently joined al-Qaeda, confirmed that it had withdrawn its forces. | Al-Shabab, which has recently joined al-Qaeda, confirmed that it had withdrawn its forces. |
It said that it would start a guerrilla war in response. | It said that it would start a guerrilla war in response. |
African force boosted | |
"The takeover does not mean that the enemy will enjoy the city, there will be more bloodshed," said Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim, an al-Shabab commander, according to the AFP news agency. | |
A Somali government military commander in the town said his forces were moving to the outer edges of the town to ensure they had full control of it. | |
"We have taken control of Baidoa without a single shot, it is a great day for the people who are now welcoming us warmly," Muhidin Ali said, according to AFP. | |
The fall of Baidoa is significant - it was a major al-Shabab stronghold and is the home to one of the leaders of the militants, Abu Mansoor, as well as other senior figures. Baidoa is the main town in Bay region which is from where many of the al-Shabab fighters are from. | |
The areas where al-Shabab can train their fighters is shrinking. It is reported that the militants had left before the armoured vehicles and tanks rolled into Baidoa but many fighters may have simply taken off their uniforms and, for now, melted into the local population. | |
Al-Shabab has vowed to ensure there is bloodshed in the town. The challenge for the pro- government troops and Ethiopians is to prevent the suicide bomb attacks and other deadly blasts. | |
With the UN's approval of a major increase in AU troops numbers, the pressure will increase further on al-Shabab. Will the Kenyan military take a leaf from the Ethiopians and go on the offensive to achieve swift gains? | |
On Wednesday, the UN Security Council unanimously agreed to increase the African Union force in Somalia from 12,000 to 17,731 troops - this would include the Kenyan troops that entered the country last October in pursuit of al-Shabab militants. | |
The resolution passed by the 15-nation council also gave the African force a stronger mandate to attack al-Shabab militants and substantially increase international funding for the military operation. | |
These developments come ahead of a major conference to be hosted by the UK on Thursday aimed at ending two decades of conflict in the troubled country. | |
The conference is expected to be attended by senior representatives from more than 40 governments and international organiations. | |
Witnesses say that after fierce fighting on Tuesday, al-Shabab fighters pulled out of Baidoa - which was then taken on Wednesday without a battle. | Witnesses say that after fierce fighting on Tuesday, al-Shabab fighters pulled out of Baidoa - which was then taken on Wednesday without a battle. |
BBC Somali service analyst Abdullahi Sheikh says Baidoa is a big loss to al-Shabab, as the main road linking Mogadishu to the south-west and parts of Kenya and Ethiopia passes through the city. | BBC Somali service analyst Abdullahi Sheikh says Baidoa is a big loss to al-Shabab, as the main road linking Mogadishu to the south-west and parts of Kenya and Ethiopia passes through the city. |
It is also the business route for most commodities that are transported from Mogadishu to other towns in the region. | It is also the business route for most commodities that are transported from Mogadishu to other towns in the region. |
Baidoa also has an airport, which the Islamist group is thought to have used to bring in weapons. | Baidoa also has an airport, which the Islamist group is thought to have used to bring in weapons. |
As the Ethiopians advanced, many residents fled the town on donkeys and vehicles. | As the Ethiopians advanced, many residents fled the town on donkeys and vehicles. |
Al-Shabab still controls many southern and central areas of the country but is also under pressure from Kenyan forces in the south. | Al-Shabab still controls many southern and central areas of the country but is also under pressure from Kenyan forces in the south. |
Last year, AU troops in support of the UN-backed government pushed al-Shabab out of the capital. | Last year, AU troops in support of the UN-backed government pushed al-Shabab out of the capital. |
However, the militants continue to stage suicide attacks in the city. | However, the militants continue to stage suicide attacks in the city. |