Somalia: Somali troops retake strategic town and frees 33 child soldiers from al-Shabaab
The Somali National Army [SNA] conducted yet another sophisticated operation on Friday, state-owned media reported, which targeted sections of Kuntuwarey town in the southern part of the country, leading to the liberation of the region, which has been one of the hideouts of al-Shabaab militants.
Kuntuwarey town is located on the road between Somali capital Mogadishu and the port town of Barawe, which is manned by troops from the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces [UPDF]. Friday’s operation was also aided by the Ugandan troops, who have been critical in pushing for law and order in Somalia.
The operation, officials said, helped the joint multi-agency team free at least 33 children who were under the custody of the al-Shabaab. The children were being trained on handling guns, which goes against the international convention which bans recruitment of children to active militia and gangs across the country.