The Somali army and troops from AMISOM recaptured Buloburde last Thursday in what AMISOM called a "major victory."

The town is 200 kilometers north of Mogadishu. AMISOM said it was a supply center for al-Shabab and home to hundreds of the group's fighters.

Somali and AMISOM forces have been pushing an offensive in the past few weeks to oust the al-Qaida-linked militants from areas they control.

Al-Shabab at one point held large parts of Somalia, but was pushed out of major cities by the AU forces and Somali government. The group has continued to carry out attacks, including a recent assault on the presidential palace in Mogadishu.