African Union and Somali National Army troops take control of town of Al-Shabaab , Somali National Army says . Somali Al-Shabaab militants gave up the town without a fight , a resident says . MOGADISHU , Somalia ( CNN ) -- The town had been a major base for Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia . Jowhar is at a strategic crossroads north of Mogadishu .
African Union and Somali National Army troops take control of town of Al-Shabaab , Somali National Army says . Somali Al-Shabaab militants gave up the town without a fight , a resident says . The town had been a major base for Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia . Jowhar is at a strategic crossroads north of Mogadishu .