Al-Shabaab captures key town in Somalia

Mogadishu: Al-Shabaab militants have captured Garacad town in Somalia and raised their flag in the city centre, officials said on Tuesday.

The mayor of the town said the coastal town was seized by dozens of Al-Shabaab militants who stormed the town on Monday, Xinhua reported.

The insurgents included foreign jihadis, he added.

Al-Shabaab controls several key areas in Mudug and Galgaduud regions of Somalia.

"Al-Shabaab insurgents, who were armed, entered the town from the shores and they immediately raised their black flag. Some of them were masked and some among them were foreigners," said one of the residents.