A joint AMISOM and Somali National Army (SNA) operation

SOMALIA, Deyniile: In a handout photograph released by the African Union-United Nations Support Team, a soldier serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) looks on as an earth mover clears ground for a mortar team 22 May, 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 today announced the beginning of 'Operation Free Shabelle' aimed at bringing security and econonic 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.

AU-UN IST PHOTO / STUART PRICE.