From All Africa via Voice of America

African Union and Somali government troops have seized a key town from militant group al-Shabab in southwestern Somalia.

The AU force says the capture of Tiyeglow gives the Somali government full control of the Bakool region and prevents al-Shabab from extorting high fees from vehicles using a main road that cuts through the town.

Witnesses interviewed by VOA’s Somali Service say that al-Shabab gave up the town without a fight Monday, with the militants taking refuge in nearby jungles.The AU force says it is defusing roadside bombs planted by the militants before they fled.

Read more at All Africa