The Middle Shabelle town of Bal’aad has fallen into the hands of the Somali militant group Alshabaab after an early Friday raid on the town’s police station.
Alshabaab has confirmed through its affiliated websites that it now controls the town which is less than 30km from the Somali capital Mogadishu.
Reports say that the militants released jailed prisoners and took over control of a local FM radio station.
The militant group had since the beginning of the year intensified attacks on government and Amisom troops between Bal’aad and the Hirshabelle administrative capital Jowhar.
