"Al-Shabaab accused us of sharing information on their whereabouts with the troops, which is untrue.”

The disruption of communication, residents lament, would hamper the medical camp.

Al-Shabaab activities have persisted in the town in the last few months, according to residents.

ATTACKS

In December 2017, the militants destroyed a crucial well in Lafey Town, inconveniencing hundreds of residents who depended on the well for water.

Many districts in Somalia are currently facing drought.

The well had been sunk by officers of the Kenya Defence Forces.

While Amisom troops have largely overpowered the militia and paralysed their activity in Somalia and Kenya, the militants have resorted to attacking civilians and even executing others.

The militants also cut off women and children’s access to humanitarian aid such as food and healthcare services.

Earlier this month, suspected Shabaab fighters destroyed a Safaricom communication mast in Wajir County using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), paralysing mobile communication in the area.