(MENAFN) The Al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group Al-Shabaab has taken control of Tardo, a key town in Somalia’s central Hiiran region, Reuters reported, citing a Somali military official. This advance is part of the group’s ongoing offensive that has displaced thousands across the country.

Despite support from foreign forces, Somalia’s fragile government in Mogadishu continues to struggle against Al-Shabaab. While an African Union peacekeeping mission expelled the militants from the capital in 2011, they still hold significant territory in southern and central Somalia and regularly carry out attacks on civilians and military targets.

According to Major Mohamed Abdullahi, Tardo—an important link between larger towns—fell to Al-Shabaab fighters on Sunday after they ousted government-allied clan forces. He added that the militants are pushing forward, while Somali troops and local clan fighters known as Macwiisleey are preparing a counterattack.

The Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency announced joint operations with international partners on Monday in the Hiiran region, resulting in at least 15 militants killed and five wounded.

Since 2007, Al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency aiming to topple the federal government and impose a strict Sharia-based rule.

In February, US President Donald Trump authorized precision airstrikes against Islamic State and Al-Shabaab targets in Somalia. By May, US Africa Command reported 25 airstrikes in the region since January, destroying militant bases and killing numerous fighters.

Despite these efforts, attacks continue, including a bomb assault on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy in March, a suicide bombing near a military base in Mogadishu in May that killed at least ten, and the assassination of a senior army commander in the Hiiran region.

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