Merca — Security forces in Somalia's southern region of Lower Shabelle began massive security operations in the port city of Merca,100 Km south of Mogadishu, to wash out the insecurity acts by armed groups, reports said.

"The Somali national army (SNA) are doing new security manoeuvre in the town. We are fighting insecurity and Al shabab remnants are one our main targets. The government will not allow anything that can cause insecurity," an army official said who asked anonymity.

Merca residents confirmed the operations in the city.

Pro-government troops with the assistance of the African Union Mission Troops have pushed Al shabab out of Merca, the third-largest port inSouthern Somalia, without a fight.

Since the UN Security Council boosted AMISOM troop numbers to over 17,000, the force has been expanding outside Mogadishu and has helped the Somali government by providing a secure environment and recovering more territory in south of the country.