Somali special forces unit, Danab, backed by African Union troops launched a dawn attack on al-Shabab positions, taking control of at least four villages west of Balad town in Middle Shabelle region, south of the country.

Balad District commissioner Nuur Shueb told the state news agency on Tuesday that the allied troops seized several villages where the militants have been carrying out relentless attacks for months.

Shueb said the allied troops captured Bulo-Konto, Dangiga Balow, Basro and Garas-weyne villages in Middle Shabelle region.

He said there was stiff resistance by al-Shabab militants who engaged the allied forces in heavy gunfight before vacating the area.

The local official said the government forces were now in control of the four villages which al-Shabab had controlled for several months and vowed to extend the military operation to Basra.

The latest operation comes amid heightened vigilance by Somalia's stabilization security unit forces who have launched operation targeting southern Somalia, in response to the increasing terror attacks in the Horn of Africa nation.