Al-Qaida linked Al shabaab militants are withdrawing from El-wake town near Kenya’s border, residents in the town have told to Radio Dalsan.
Al shabaab on Sunday evening seizes the town, before they were pushed back by Somalia government forces. The Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers were reported to have fled to Kenya after they were being overpowered during the confrontation.
Al-Shabab battle-wagons loaded with their weapons had been leaving since the morning, a wetness said.
“Overnight Al shabaab fighters walked in the town, and their commanders lecturing residents in the local mosques†residents said.
Residents of El-wake said that as they withdrew the insurgents told them they were going to set up defences outside the town to save civilians from being injured in any fighting.
Somali national army commanders told Radio that the government army entered the town after being pushed out the militant last eight hours.
It was not immediately clear if there had been any casualties from the fighting in El Wak town of Gedo province, which has previously changed in hands between the two sides.
The group, which is estimated to have at least 5,000 fighters, wants to overthrow the UN-backed Somali government and has imposed a strict version of Sharia in areas under its control.
Written by Hassan Istiila
