Somali government troops backed by Ethiopian forces on Friday captured two strategic towns in the south of the horn of African nation after al-Shabaab fighters fled the area, residents and officials said.
The towns of Bur-Hakaba and Qadsax-dhere, Bay region in the southwest of the country fell into government hands without any fighting with al-Shabaab fighters who left the town hours before the troops entered, residents said.
Somali government officials have welcomed the retaking of these two strategic towns in Bay region and called local residents for calm after the allied forces rolled in.