Lafta-gareen, former South West State president, reportedly takes Golweyn in Somalia
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Caasimada Online
Fighting between government forces and those of Lafta-gareen would reportedly have allowed the latter to take control of Golweyn in Lower Shabelle. According to Caasimada, an explosive device also killed the security chief of Buulo-Mareer, Abdisalaan Qoobeey, who had come to provide assistance on the spot.
Fighting took place between government forces and fighters close to Abdicasiis Hassan Mohamed, known as Lafta-gareen, former president of the South West State of Somalia, in Golweyn, in Lower Shabelle. According to Caasimada Online, the attacking forces reportedly took control of the locality, where the situation remains very tense. The clashes, which lasted several hours, reportedly caused deaths and injuries, according to local information relayed by the site.
Meanwhile, the security chief of Buulo-mareer, Cabdisalaan Qoobeey, who was leading a relief force towards Golweyn, was killed along with some of his guards when a mine struck his vehicle, in Atuunyo, according to residents relayed by Caasimada Online. The victims were taken to Buulo-mareer.
These clashes add to offensives already carried out by Lafta-gareen’s forces in the Bay and Bakool regions. This offensive follows Lafta-gareen’s claim to the presidency of South West State of Somalia, reported in August.
