Somalia’s army has captured a major stronghold from the Islamist militant group, al-Shabab.
The town of El Bur, in central Somalia, had been held by al-Shabab since 2017.
Although the army have taken over, there were no reports of clashes and local correspondents say the jihadist fighters appear to have made a tactical withdrawal.
The development comes days after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced the launch of a second offensive, which he said would eliminate the group within months.
Since last year, government forces working with clan militias have seized swathes of territory from al-Shabab.
The group has been weakened but continues to carry out frequent attacks, including in the capital, Mogadishu.
