African Union and Somali troops launched a long-awaited assault Tuesday against the Al-Qaeda linked Shebab stronghold of Afgoye, the world’s largest displaced people’s camp, officials said.Residents reported intense clashes and heavy artillery fire on the outskirts of Mogadishu as tanks and troops pushed out in a pre-dawn attack from Deynile, a suburb of the capital.“Early this morning, the African Union Mission in Somalia and the Somali National Army launched a carefully planned operation to bring security and stability to the people of the Afgoye corridor,” an AU statement read.The troops are “making good progress,” the AU added, while the Somali army claimed that Shebab fighters were fleeing ahead of the advancing troops.“The remnants of the Al-Qaeda militants have already suffered a major defeat and they have emptied their barracks in the area,” said Mohamed Osmail, a Somali military official.“The army cut off a key road on the outskirts of Deynile, which the enemy has been using when organising attacks and transporting fighters to undermine the security of the city, they are no longer there now,” he added.Witnesses said civilians in the battle zone were fleeing the fighting.“Several artillery rounds struck the KM13 area, and families who had remained in the area started fleeing this morning -- the fighting seems to be advancing on to Afgoye corridor,” said Muhidiin Adan, a resident in Deynile.
