The joint forces faced little resistance as they entered the town, which has served as a major base for the al Shabaab as they have been pushed out of other areas in Southern Somalia.

“The capture of Jawhar will go a long way towards improving security for the civilian population in Hiiran and the Lower and Middle Shabelle regions,” said AMISOM Force Commander, Lt Gen Andrew Gutti. “Our joint forces are now consolidating the city’s defences and I appeal to the residents to remain calm,” he added.

Gen Gutti congratulated the Somali National Army troops on the achievement noting that AMISOM was continuing to enhance the capability of the Somali national security forces through training and mentoring . “AMISOM is building up the capacity of the Somali National Army to train its troops within Somalia and we have already begun courses for Somali trainers at the Al Jazira Military Training Base.”

Commercial activity across the country has picked up as businesses take advantage of the remarkable improvements in the security situation over the last eighteen months. Yesterday, commercial flights were launched between Mogadishu and the Beltweyne, the regional capital of Hiiran. This follows the launch last week of similar flights between Mogadishu and the southern port city of Kismayo.