MOGADISHU: Ethiopian and Somali troops captured a key Islamist militant stronghold in Somalia Wednesday, as the rebels left their positions, a regional government official and residents said.

The loss of Baidoa in central Somalia is a major blow for the Al-Qaeda-backed Al-Shabaab rebel group, which is also battling Kenyan troops to hold on to territory in southern Somalia and against African peacekeepers in pockets of the capital.

“We have taken Baidoa. There was no resistance from Al-Shabaab,” said Abdifatah Mohammad Gesey, a senior commander of the advancing Somali government soldiers.

Al-Shabaab said its withdrawal from the city had been a tactical one aimed at avoiding casualties.

“Our fighters left town this morning without fighting. Now we are surrounding the town,” said Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, Al-Shabaab’s spokesman for military operations. “Baidoa will be a cemetery for the Ethiopians.”

Earlier Wednesday, a Baidoa resident who gave his name as Farah told Reuters no Al-Shabaab fighters were visible in the streets.

“Al-Shabaab have run away to the Idaale jungle. Other residents tell me Ethiopian troops have reached the corners of the city,” Farah said.

Ethiopia’s forces launched a push south toward Baidoa through the neighboring Bay and Bakool regions Tuesday, making swift progress with the insurgents offering minimal resistance, said officials.

Located about 250 km north west of Mogadishu, Baidoa is considered the most important rebel base after the southern port city of Kismayu.

Baidoa hosted Somalia’s interim government from early 2006 – when another Islamist administration was battling warlords for control of Mogadishu – until the turn of 2008/2009 when Al-Shabaab militants seized the city and expelled the transitional government.

Ethiopia moved troops across the border into Somalia in November to open up a third front against the militants, already suffering financial constraints after pulling most of their fighters out of Mogadishu and because of internal divisions.

Witnesses said Wednesday morning that Al-Shabaab had also surrendered the town of Berdale about 60 km away from Baidoa.

Berdale resident Ali Mohammad Abukar said a “huge number” of heavily armed foot soldiers and columns of armored vehicles had rolled into Berdale, a day after wresting control of Yurkud about 50 km away.