1st LD Writethru: Somali, AU forces capture strategic town of Bardere from Al-Shabaab

African Union and Somali forces took control of the strategic town of Bardere in Gedo region in southern Somalia, military officials said on Wednesday.

"The joint forces entered Bardere, without resistance, the militants fled the town before we arrived," military officer Osman Jilicow told Xinhua.

The military officer also said the Al-Shabaab fighters killed two clan elders, before withdrawing from the town and ordered the population displacement from the city.

"Before pulling out, they tried to create panic among the population, killing two clan elders," he said.

According to the officer, the allied forces will carry out searches for elements of the Al-Shabaab which are still hiding in Bardere town.

"The situation is under control, but we will conduct some operations to enhance security after the liberation of the town," he added.

Siyad Ahmed Adam, a government army commander in the town, told reporters that they fully control the town, saying Somali troops backed by Ethiopian contingent entered the city from one direction.

Bardere is a strategic town and its control by joint forces is seen as a further blow against Al-Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab militants have recently lost key towns during joint security operation targeting their strongholds in southern Somalia. Endit