(VOVworld) - Somali government troops backed by African Union forces on Wednesday captured Bardhere town, one of the last strongholds of al Shabaab, the al Qaeda-affiliated Islamist group.

Al Shabab militants have reportedly withdrawn from Bardhere town in south Somalia’s Gedo region as coalition forces advanced to town

A Somali military official said on July 22 that the allied forces had taken control of the town and killed 24 gunmen. Minister of Information Mohamed Abdi Hayir Mareye said Somali government troops will launch more operations until they drive all Al Shabaab out of the occupied areas.