Gedo (Sunatimes) Somali government forces backed by militias of a moderate religious group have captured Garbaharey, the capital of Southwestern region of Gedo, witnesses told VOA Somali Service.

Al-Shabab militias who controlled the town reportedly fled in the early hours of the morning. Witnesses said no fighting has taken place in the town since the government forces entered this morning at around 10am.

It is the fifth successive major town that governing forces have captured from Al-Shabab in recent weeks in the South of the country. During the last few weeks, government forces and the militias of Ahlu Sunna Wal-Jama captured Luq, Belethawo and El-Waq towns (Gedo region) and Dhobley in Lower Jubba region.