Mogadishu — Somali National Army (SNA) along with the African Union forces on Tuesday moved closer to the main rebel-held city of Jowhar, some 90Km north-west Mogadishu, according to the reports.

Sources say on Sunday that the coalition forces backed by tanks and heavy artillery weapons set on foot on the main road leading to the city which is largely controlled by Al shabab.

Hundreds of local residents began fleeing from the city in fear of major attack that could result a civilian casualties.

Somali and AMISOM forces have in the past captured several main towns and locations on Mogadishu-Baidoa road from Al shabab militants.