Dhusamareb — Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a officials have for the first time spoke out about their recent serial withdrawal from some key towns in central Somalia over the past three days.

Abdi-Sahkur Husein Cabdi, one of ASWJ executive authorities, told Shabelle Media during in a telephone interview that their retreat from towns located in Hiiran and Galgadud region of central Somalia was "a military tactics".

He expressed optimistic to retake over all towns from Al shabab fighters who moved into and took control peacefully, shortly after the allied forces from ASWJ and Ethiopian forces under unknown circumstances.

ASWJ officials refuted a statement from interior ministry of Somali government, accusing the group of taking orders from Ethiopia instead the government. In the statement the ministry said ASWJ fighters abandoned Somali towns under Ethiopian orders.