MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali National Army (SNA) forces backed by AU troops have recaptured a strategic town in Middle Shabelle region hours after al-Shabab militants briefly wrested the control of the small town.

Heavily armed al-Shabaab fighters on Saturday morning stormed Rage-Ele, about 90km away from Somali capital, forcing SNA soldiers to vacate it after fierce clashes.

Hours later, Somali military supported by AU troop attacked the militants in the town, prompting an hour long fighting between the sides.

In a statement, Somali military said their forces successfully took control of the town after the insurgents were defeated.

The military also claimed to have killed over ten al-Shabaab fighters during the fighting.

The fighting comes a day after Ugandan forces in Somalia killed 189 al-Shabaab fighters following an attack on al-Shabab hideouts in the villages of Sigaale, Adimole and Kayitoy, 100km (62 miles) southwest of the capital Mogadishu

The Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) also confirmed the capture two al-Shabaab ring leaders.