20120626
AP
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A Somali military official says hundreds of African Union and Somali troops have swept into a town north of Mogadishu, forcing al-Shabab militants to flee.


Col. Abdullahi Ali Anod said troops encountered little resistance as they moved into the town of Balad on Tuesday. He said the town changed hands peacefully.

The taking of Balad is the latest success for pro-government forces in a year of big gains against al-Shabab. African Union forces kicked al-Shabab out of Mogadishu last August. In May, African Union troops moved into the Afgoye corridor outside of Mogadishu, pushing into the capital's suburbs for the first time.

Al-Shabab's last remaining stronghold is the port city of Kismayo. Kenyan leaders have promised that Kenyan troops will take control of Kismayo within the next two months.