The governor of Somalia's Lower Shabelle region has confirmed that militant Islamist group al-Shabab have taken full control of Marka town following the withdrawal of African Union (AU) forces.
"The AU troops pulled out of the town and al-Shebab militants entered - and have secured control without fighting," Ibrahim Adam said, AFP news agency reports.
AU forces had held the port city for three-and-a-half years.
Analysts say the loss is one of the biggest setbacks for the AU force in its nearly decade-long battle against the al-Shabab.
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