Afgoye — Somali security forces have arrested more than 50 people in the agricultural town, some 30 kilometres north-west Mogadishu in connection with insecurity acts, witnesses said.

Residents said Somali security forces on Friday had detained over 50 people in a two-day operations in the town of Afgoye who were either Islamist rebel fighters or had have links to them.

The operations, conducted by Somali forces focused on Afgoye and the nearby villages, long a stronghold of the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al Shabab militants, until pro-government forces and their African Union allies, regained control of it early this year.

"The Somali forces stormed houses, raided businesses and rounded people up on the streets in Afgoye district," a witness, said.

Officials said nearly 300 security personnel took part in the operation.