Somalian government troops backed by the African Union (AU) claimed to have captured the key town of Barawe, as al-Shabab fighters withdrew from the area.
Hundreds of civilians have also fled from the town, situated on Somalia's southern coast, as al-Shabab trucks loaded with weapons were seen leaving the town which has been under the organisation's control for the last 6 years.
The regional governor told the BBC that government troops were now in the centre of Barawe.
As al-Shabab fighters withdrew, the Shabab commander in Barawe, Mohamed Abu Abdalla, released an audio message warning residents who remained not to support the oncoming government troops.
“Today, as you can see, civilians have been forced to flee, with warships floating on the coast, warplanes flying above and tanks approaching against the civilians,” said Abdalla. “But we are here to stay.”
Al-Shabab has lost control of several small towns, since US airstrikes killed the group's leader Ahmed Abdi Godane last month.
Hundreds of civilians have also fled from the town, situated on Somalia's southern coast, as al-Shabab trucks loaded with weapons were seen leaving the town which has been under the organisation's control for the last 6 years.
The regional governor told the BBC that government troops were now in the centre of Barawe.
As al-Shabab fighters withdrew, the Shabab commander in Barawe, Mohamed Abu Abdalla, released an audio message warning residents who remained not to support the oncoming government troops.
“Today, as you can see, civilians have been forced to flee, with warships floating on the coast, warplanes flying above and tanks approaching against the civilians,” said Abdalla. “But we are here to stay.”
Al-Shabab has lost control of several small towns, since US airstrikes killed the group's leader Ahmed Abdi Godane last month.