In this Tuesday, May 22, 2012 photo released by the African Union-United Nations Information Support Team, a soldier with the Somali National Army (SNA) walks along a road near Deyniile, Somalia, during a joint AMISOM and Somali National Army (SNA) operat
In this Tuesday, May 22, 2012 photo released by the African Union-United Nations Information Support Team, a soldier with the Somali National Army (SNA) walks along a road near Deyniile, Somalia, during a joint AMISOM and Somali National Army (SNA) operation to seize and liberate territory from the al-Qaeda affiliated extremist group al-Shabaab. AMISOM Force Commander Lt. Gen Andrew Guti on Wednesday announced the beginning of "Operation Free Shabelle" aimed at bringing security and economic revival to the 400,000 people of the Afgoye Corridor and beyond in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia, located to the south and west of the country's capital Mogadishu. African Union-United Nations Information Support Team, Stuart Price, Associated Press
By Associated Press

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Officials in Somalia say that African Union and Somali forces are capturing new territory outside Mogadishu that has long been controlled by militant fighters.

Tanks are tearing through the thorny scrubland to the northwest of Mogadishu, where tens of thousands of internal refugees live in informal camps in an area known as the Afgoye corridor. Troops on Wednesday were about 9 kilometers (6 miles) from Afgoye town following the launch of the operation on Tuesday.

African Union and Somali forces pushed al-Shabab militants out of Mogadishu last August. The forces are now trying to take control of areas outside of Mogadishu.

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