MOGADISHU (SD) – Al-Shabaab militants have today vacated a strategic town in central Somalia following fierce fighting with Galmudug state forces backed by Somali military.

In a statement, Somali Government Spokesman Mohamed Moalimuu said the forces seized Amaara town in Mudug region after al-Shabaab fighter defeated by joint forces.

Witnesses and military officials have confirmed that the fighting claimed lives of more than 20 fighters from both sides and left behind over a dozen injuries.

According to the statement, the government forces are planning to wrest Sigro village which under the control of Al-Shabaab fighters.

 “Galmudug security forces alongside with SNA have now fully captured Amara town from Al-Shabaab militants after a planned offensive on Sunday morning. Amara is now under the control of the joint forces. Government soldiers are now heading to Sigro village controlled by the terror group,” the spokesperson said.

This would be the second town vacated by al-Shabaab fighter two days after Somali military in central Somalia claimed to have recaptured the strategic town, Ba’adweyne from Al-Shabaab.

Ba’adweyne town in Galmudug state changed hands in recent weeks.

Somali military has recently intensified operations against al-Shabaab fighters in south and central Somalia.

Al-Shabaab still control dozens of towns and villages in numbers of region in the horn of Africa region.