20110305
reuters

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - The African Union's peacekeeping force in Somalia (AMISOM) captured a key position from al Shabaab rebels in the capital, losing several troops in the fighting, its force commander said on Saturday.


Together with Somali government troops, the 8,000-strong AMISOM force started an offensive against the hardline insurgent group on February 19 as a step towards returning the Horn of Africa country to stability after two decades of conflict.

Major General Nathan Mugisha said the force captured the former ministry of defence building in the north of the city, gaining control of a major al Shabaab base.

"By taking these positions we have effectively reduced their freedom of manoeuvre in that sector," Mugisha told a news conference in Nairobi.

"This peace in Mogadishu comes at a price, and this burden has fallen heavily on AMISOM and government forces," he added.

Casualty figures could not be revealed for security reasons, Mugisha said, adding they had been forwarded to the countries contributing troops to the force.

He said the offensive had increased the number of districts in the capital under the force's control to seven, leaving six contested and three under control of the rebels.

Al Shabaab said it had brought in reinforcements from other regions to help in the battle for Mogadishu.