Somali elite forces on Saturday recaptured Gamboole location in Middle Shabelle region from Al-Shabab fighters.
The forces launched dawn attack on the town which has been under the control of Al-shabab fighters for the last three years.
Military officials who confirmed the seizure of Gamboole town said the forces took the control of the town early in the morning without resistance from Al-shabab.
The local residents said the government troops have set up defensive positions outside the town to prevent al-shabab from launching counter attack.
Al-shabab had a detention centre and courts in the area where the group used to carry out cases related to land disputes and extort money as form of tax from the traders in the Middle Shabelle region.
There had been emerging reports that dawn attack foiled pre-planned Al-shabab meeting with some traders from the region.
Last month, Hirshabelle government had arrested several traders who allegedly had a discussion with Al-shabab on the taxes and Zakat that the group imposed.
Somali government had been making attempts to impose boycott on the group as the operations against the fighters are gearing up.
The federal government and some of regional states have jointly vowed to take legal actions against the locals seeking redress in Al-shabab courts.
The joint forces have recently stepped up security operations in the region since president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo declared new offensives against Al-shabaab early last month.
During this period the forces managed to seize several towns in Middle and Lower Shabelle region including Beledul Amin, Moqokori and among others.
Al-Shabab which once controlled most of central and southern Somalia has lost nearly all of its territory over the last ten years to AU and Somali government forces
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