Mogadishu — Somalia government troops is reported to have withdrawn from Bur-hakaba town of Bay region in southwest of Somalia after they handed over the control of the town to local militia.

Government troops accompanied with Ethiopian forces that seized control of Bur-hakaba town on October 21 pulled back from the town midnight amid conflicting reports over their departure.

Some reports say the retreat of the government forces from Bur-hakaba town based on difference among the army commanders while other sources say the government's pull back came after mounting more pressure from yesterday's fight outside Bu'ale city, the capital of middle Juba region in which the Juba Valley Alliance militia was overrun.

Mohamed Ibrahim Bilal, the chairperson of Al-Bayan Islamic Court told Shabelle Media Network that partly his fighters with the local militia entered this morning Bur-hakaba and confirmed the total control of the town.

Shabelle Baidoa correspondent Moahmed Addawe who is now in Bur-hakaba town says the government army returned to their barracks outside Baidoa city, the capital of Bay region.

The withdrawal of government troops from Bur-hakaba come as the premier Ali Gedi due to visit Bur-hakaba to encourage the army to consolidate their position and move forward.