BARIRE, Somalia- African Union forces, along with U.S. forces seized a key district in Southern Lower Shabelle region from Al Qaeda-linked Al shabaab militants on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports.

In a joint operation on Tuesday morning, US and AU soldiers serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) raided Al Shabaab outposts that led to the recapture of key town Barire in Lower Shabelle. Barire is situated about 90 kilometers South-west of the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

Al Shabaab militants and senior commanders fled the town toward other stronghold areas in the region before allied forces moved in, according to local residents.

The militant group Al Shabaab has recently took control of several towns in south and central regions of Somalia following a series of withdrawals by the Somali government troops and AMISOM.

AU said the capture of Barire is critical for the future operations to liberate more areas from Al shabaab in Lower Shabelle region, which is considered a main revenue source for the extremist group.

Al Shabaab was forced out from key towns in Somalia for the past 5 years, but continues to carry out sporadic attacks in Mogadishu, and elsewhere in the country to disrupt the ongoing elections.

GAROWEONLINE