Somali National army on Wednesday wrested the full control of Moqokori town in central Somalia from Al-shabab.
The military officials in the area who briefed the media confirmed that they captured the town during a dawn offensive against Al-shabab fighters.
Al-Shabab fighters withdrew from the town after they engaged a fierce gunfight that lasted for almost half an hour with the government forces.
The exact casualties of the fighting are not clear as there no verifications from the sides.
The local residents said the government troops have set up defensive positions outside the town to prevent al-shabab from launching counter attack.
The forces launched operations in the town to clear landmines and other explosives suspected to have planted by the fighters before
Al-shabab has been controlling the town since 2016.
Somali forces have stepped up attacks against Al-shabab fighters in South and Central Somalia in a bid to liberate the areas under control of the group.
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