Al-Shabab stronghold facing AU assault

African Union troops are advancing towards a key stronghold of the Al-Shabab rebel group in Somalia.

After the capture of the town of Qoryooley last weekend, Ugandan soldiers belonging to the AU are now advancing
towards the port city of Barawe.

A number of towns have already been recaptured from fighters in a massive offensive which began earlier this month.

The UN says roughly 12,000 people have been displaced by fighting in the country.

The AU now has 22,000 soldiers in Somalia.

Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi reports from Mogadishu.