Somali National Army backed by African Union troops from Kenya and Ethiopian have recaptured a strategic town in Gedo region in Somalia from armed group Al Shabaab.
Witnesses in the city have confirmed to the media about the presence of the Somali National Army in one of strategic bridge at the centre of the town.
Al Shabaab fighters which have controlled the area since 2009 have vacated without any major resistance.
Sources said the group have retreated towards the south of the city and headed for middle Shabelle region.
Kenyan fighter jets and Ethiopian helicopters have being bombing the town and surroundings to provide air cover to advancing Somali troops and African union forces.
Armed group Al Shabaab has lost several key areas since pushed out from main economic hub Kismayo on September 2012 but still carries out deadly hit and run attacks in Mogadishu and other major Somali cities across the country.