Kenya military says it captures Somali town

NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya's military spokesman says Kenyan troops have captured a rebel-held town in southern Somalia.

Maj. Emmanuel Chirchir on Wednesday also announced the deaths of 17 al-Shabab fighters in two separate engagements.

Chirchir said that Kenyan troops killed six fighters in the town of Hayo. Chirchir also said troops had captured Afmadow, a key town on the road to the al-Shabab-held port city of Kismayo. Chirchir said on Twitter that the focus of Kenyan troops is on Kismayo.

Chirchir also said that 11 al-Shabab fighters were killed after Kenyan naval forces fired on a suspected insurgent camp in Kismayo. Insurgents said earlier that that attack took place on Tuesday.

Kenyan forces moved into Somalia in October.