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Somalia's al-Shabab 'forced out of Bardere stronghold'
African Union forces in Somalia have retaken one of the few towns still being held by Islamist militant group al-Shabab, residents say.
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Kenyan soldiers entered south-eastern Bardere town, which has been under al-Shabab control since 2008, armed with heavy weapons and supported by fighter jets, residents told the BBC.
A drone strike in the same town last week killed two al-Shabab commanders.
Al-Shabab is battling Somalia's government for control of the country.
The al-Qaeda-linked group has not yet commented.
There are more than 3,000 Kenyan troops in the country, as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom).
African Union and Somali government have been stepping up their operations in the Gedo region, which includes Bardere, near the Juba River.
Al-Shabab has staged several attacks in Kenya, saying these are retaliation for the presence of Kenyan troops in Somalia.
