One regional lawmaker and city council member were killed on Monday following an Improvised Explosive Device [IED] explosion in central Somalia, officials said, just as the military seized a strategic town, with the war against Al-Shabaab taking shape.

According to authorities, Mohamed Mohamud Ahmed alias Mohamed Yare, who serves in the Galmadug state assembly, and Abdullahi Ibrahim Shaaciye, a member of the Dhusamareb Local Council, were killed in El-Garas town, where they had gone to visit troops in the frontline.

Two other individuals accompanying the two were killed in the explosion which Al-Shabaab militants have already taken responsibility for. The militants had been flushed from the town by the Somali National Army [SNA] who retook the strategic town from the militants on Monday morning.

Government troops retook El-Garas which authorities said would help the military to approach some of the towns still under the militants in the Galgaduud region. President Hassan Sheikh visited troops on the frontline a few days ago, where he encouraged soldiers to continue fighting.

Local fighters were also strategic and important in the battle at El-Garas, a town that lies 40 kilometers from the ancient town of El-Bur, where the government is keen to take over from Al-Shabaab militants. El-Bur town has been on the map of towns that are strategic in the war, analysts say.

Ahmed Abdi Kariye alias Qoor-Qoor, the president of Galmadug, condoled with affected families. “The two lawmakers were martyred while participating in the operation to chase the Khawariij in El-Garas town.”

The government of Somalia is preparing for the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab which will focus on Jubaland and Southwest states in the country. President Hassan Sheikh believes that the war must first be won in central regions before proceeding to southern Somalia.