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Bosaso, Somalia, July 17, 2010 (SL Times) – Around 200 Al-Shabaab
fighters have seized control of a Mountainous strategic area called Laag,
about 30km south of Puntland’s commercial town of Bosaso.
According to Puntland security officials, the Al-Shabaab militants
arrived in Laag earlier this week after moving from their stronghold
base at Galgala which is located at the Golis range of mountains that
stretch across the border between Puntland and Somaliland.
Al Shabaab fighters occupying heights in Laag have already succeeded in
closing the vital road connecting Bosaso to the hinterland.
Yesterday, the news of their advance caused panic in Bosaso itself with
thousands of residents fleeing the town.
Local sources have confirmed earlier reports that the insurgents were
being led by Mr. Mohamed Atom, a well-known Al-Shabaab operative in the
area who also trades in small arms smuggled from Yemen.
Meanwhile Puntland authorities have revealed that their troops have
completed an encirclement of Laag from three different directions and
are now poised to attack the insurgents.
Although no date for the attack has been announced, yet all signs
indicate that it will happen in the next few days.
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