Reports say the militants withdrew from El-Garas and El-dere settlements with all their military hard-wares and headed towards Bula-Barde town in Hiran region.

The militant group has also reportedly downsized its fighters in El-Bur town, with only its Hizba brigade remaining in the area.

It is not yet known why the group pulled out of these areas but locals say the militant group received reports that allied forces from neighbouring Hiran were planning attacks against their bases in Bulo-Barde town.

Elsewhere, Al-Shabaab militants have arrested six people in El-Bur for allegedly smuggling banned Khat in to the area.

Locals claimed the six, all local traders, were manhandled during their arrest.