The Somali army and allied militias have driven al-Shabab fighters out of a strategic town in the country’s centre that the Islamist militant group had held for six years.
The government has retaken control of dozens of villages and towns in recent months.
Al-Shabab is facing serious challenges as a result of American airstrikes, African Union troops, the Somali army, and an allied militia.
According to the mayor of Adan Yabal, the town was taken without incident.
The jihadist group had used it as a training base and a hub for its operations across central Somalia.
After President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s election in May, he declared all-out war against al-Shabab.
Now he says the effort to clear the group out of Hirshabelle and Galmudug states is in its final stages.
Despite losing territory the militant group has been carrying out frequent deadly bombing raids – especially in the capital, Mogadishu.