South West state forces backed by AMISOM soldiers wrested control of a small town in Bakool region from the Al Qaeda-linked Al shabaab fighters on Sunday, residents said.
The forces recaptured El Garas village, near Tiyeglow town in Bakool region, without encountering a resistance from the militants who are reportedly fled the area upon the advance of the allied troops.
The militant group Al shabaab has regained El Garas and other key towns in the region, including Tiyeglow district in Bakool region from Somali troops, after Ethiopian troops surprise withdrawal.
Somali federal government said it will liberate all towns retaken by Al shabaab in recent weeks, after Ethiopian troops who are not serving with AMISOM began pulling out key areas in south of the country.
Al Shabaab has intensified its attacks in Somalia in the past few months, as the nation is holding crucial parliamentary and presidential election which kick started across the country early this month.