A soldier serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) takes up a defensive position during a firefight 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 announced 22 May the beginning of 'Operation Free Shabelle' aimed at bringing security and econonic revival to the estimated 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.