Addis Ababa, 5 September 2014 (WIC) – Residents have returned to the town of Bulo Marer, following its capture from the al Shabaab by joint forces of the Somali National Army and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
According to a press release AMISOM Public Information Services sent to WIC, BuloMarer, located 115 kilometers Southwest of Mogadishu has been under al Shabaab for years and is a getaway to the port city of Baraawe. It was also used by alShabaabfor recruitment and tax collection.
The residents who had earlier fled the town as fighting took place, returned after it was captured from the insurgents.
The Lower Shabelle Governor Abdul Kadir JS Siidi and AMISOM Uganda Contingent Commander Brig. Gen. Dick Olum convened the residents and addressed them; focusing on sensitization on the exploitation they are suffering under al Shabaab.
“Al- Shabaab they cheat you, they cheated your children because Ahmed Gothane his wife and children, he married three women, two are in Hargeisa, one is in Burho, his children are learning, they are in school and why is Ahmed Gothane is sending his children to school and your children are not in school and they are being sent to make suicide bombs. And AbdallahHireh his wife is in Yemen, with her children and why does he send his children to Yemen? Why doesn’t he bring his children to make suicide bombs and fighting? That is not Islamic religion and they are cheating you the Somali young men and i say to you, take care,” he said.
The troops continue with the operation in Lower Shabelle, with the liberation of the coastal town of Barawe as the next on the agenda.