Somalia regime targets al-Shabaab

Somalia's defense minister said Somalia's Transitional Federal Government hopes to eradicate al-Shabaab from rebel-held parts of the country. Hussein Arab Isse said the TGF would continue its fight against al-Shabaab and al-Qaida in southern and central Somalia, Shabelle Media Network reported. A coalition has forced al-Shabaab militants to withdraw from several strategic areas in southern and central Somalia, SMN reported. Isse told reporters Tuesday the TGF wants to eliminate al-Shabaab from southern Somalia to build peace in the region. "Although they [al-Shabaab] have left Mogadishu, it does not mean we can snooze. Our troops will continue to fight al-Shabaab," Isse said. The coalition of forces fighting al-Shabaab include Ethiopian and Kenyan forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia peacekeeping mission.