Reports from Afgoye corridor indicate that al-Shabaab fighters have evacuated their positions in Afgoye and Elasha Biyaha in Lower Shebelle region after Somali troops backed by AMISOM forces advanced towards the corridor in the last few days.

Sources said that residents of Afgoye were seen moving freely in the earlier hours of Thursday morning; sources also add that al-Shabaab left their former positions in the area such as the police stations on Wednesday night.

Sources added that the militant group set free a large number of inmates from several prisons in Afgoye before evacuating the town.

Local media have reported that vehicles carrying injured fighters from al-Shabaab were spotted heading to Marka town in Lower Shabelle region.

Meanwhile, Somali troops alongside with AMISOM forces are expected to go in the area and take over the former al-Shabaab positions in Elasha Biyaha and Afgoye corridor.

Sunatimes will keep an eye on the latest developments on the Afgoye operation and will keep you updated.