SOMALIA / AL SHABAAB

The African Union Mission in Somalia this weekend helped Somali National Army troops push the Al Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab out of Marka, the third-largest port in southern Somalia. AMISOM

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:38
• Production Date: 4 September 2012
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: AFRICAN UNION MISSION IN SOMALIA – AMISOM
• Subject Topical: PEACE AND SECURITY
• Geographic Subject: SOMALIA
• MAMS Id: U120904c

Description

STORY: SOMALIA / AL SHABAAB
TRT: 2.38
SOURCE: AMISOM
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: NATS

DATELINE: 1-2 SEPTEMBER 2012, MARKA, SOMALIA

Shotlist

1. Close up, African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeepers getting instruction for Marka operation
2. Close up, AMISOM peacekeeper getting instruction for Marka operation
3. Med shot, Transitional Federal Government (TFG) Somali soldiers on a back of a pickup truck heading to Marka town
4. Med shot, TFG Somali soldier on a back on a armed truck manning an anti aircraft machine gun
5. Wide shot, AMISOM tank
6. Wide shot, AMISOM and TFG trucks lined up for Marka operation
7. Wide shot, TFG and AMISOM soldiers on their way to Marka
8. Wide shot, TFG and AMISOM soldiers on their way to Marka
9. Wide shot, TFG and AMISOM soldiers in Marka streets
10. Wide shot, TFG and AMISOM soldiers in Marka streets
11. Med shot, women trading at Marka fruit market
12. Wide shot, TFG soldier at the fruit market in Marka
13. Med shot, young fish trader at the fish market in Marka
14. Med shot, young girl at the vegetable market in Marka
15. Wide shot, Marka town next to the sea side
16. Pan left, Marka town next to the sea side
17. Wide shot, wrecked ship at old seaport of Marka

Storyline

Somalia troops with the assistance of African Union troops, this weekend (1-2 September) pushed Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists out of Marka, the third-largest port in southern Somalia.

The dawn operation met little resistance as the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali National Army troops steadily advanced to Shalamboot and established a defensive position there.

Located 90 kilometres south of Mogadishu, Marka has been under the brutal rule of extremists since November 2008. In recent months, many of the al Shabaab’s top commanders have been fleeing towards the town following a string of defeats by the allied forces.

The capture of Marka was also critical for AMISOM future operations to liberate the city of Kismayo, the extremists’ largest source of illicit revenue. This important achievement comes at a critical time for Somalia as the country’s newly inaugurated parliament prepares to elect a speaker and president for the country, and bring to a close twelve years of transitional governments.

Now Jowhar, 90 kilometres to the north of Mogadishu, is the last remaining stronghold of the extremists in the regions of Banadir, Lower and Middle Shabelle which comprise Sector 1 of AMISOM area of responsibility.

Since the United Nations Security Council boosted AMISOM troop numbers to over 17,000, the force has been expanding outside Mogadishu and has helped the Somali government by providing a secure environment and recovering more territory, as well as with law, order and justice.