In a press release the force said the operation resulted in the capture of the Daynille airstrip which was previously controlled by the extremist group Al Shabaab.

Brigadier General Audace Nduwumunsi, the AMISOM Deputy Force Commander, said the operation was necessary to deny the extremists a platform to target the people of Mogadishu.

“The international community has mandated AMISOM to secure Somalia so its people have the opportunity to select a form of government that is best suited to them. By securing the strategically important Daynille airfield, we have made a big step towards making this a reality and helping create the necessary conditions for reconciliation and reconstruction,” he said.

In February the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution enhancing the AMISOM mandate and expanding its authorized strength to 17,731.

AMISOM has expanded its presence throughout the south and central regions of the country including Banadir, Baidoa, Lower Juba and Gedo.