Somali government troops backed by African Union forces have captured a key stronghold of al-Shabab Islamists.
The regional governor confirmed the capture of Barawe, telling the BBC that he was in the centre of the port town.
The AU says al-Shabab used the town as a base to launch attacks on the capital Mogadishu, which is about 200km (125 miles) to the north.
Barawe had been held by the al-Qaeda-aligned militants for six years.
