MOGADISHU (SD) – Heavily al-Shabaab fighters have recaptured small town in central Somalia after Somali government forces vacated their base in the vicinity, locals confirmed Wednesday.

According to locals, the militants had entered El-Dhere town about 30kms south of Dhusamareb town with resistance barely two days after terror group briefly seized another town in Hiiraan region.

The militants reportedly used explosives to detonate the town’s administration blocks, the police station as well as a military base belonging to Somali national army (SNA).

Last Monday, al-Shabaab took control of Mataban town for hours after the country’s military withdrew from the town in Hiiraan region.

Hours later, reinforcement forces from Guriel town of Galgaduud region managed to recapture the town without fight after the militants left the town.

Al-Shabaab terrorists blew up the local police station using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) before the army recaptured the town.

Mataban, located 405 kilometers (about 252 miles) from the capital Mogadishu.