Pro-Somali government forces have seized the town of Bulo Hawo on the border with Kenya and Ethiopia from the hardline Islamist group al-Shabab.
This is seen as a significant victory for the weak, UN-backed government against the al-Qaeda-linked militants.
Al-Shabab and their allies control most of southern and central Somalia but pro-government forces have been gaining ground in recent weeks.
Kenya has responded by boosting security along the border.
Black flag loweredThe BBC's Bashkas Jugsodaay in northern Kenya says many people have fled the fighting into Kenya.
He says they have not come as refugees but are staying with relatives until the situation is calm.
They have mostly gone to the Kenyan town of Mandera, just 3km (two miles) from Bulo Hawo.
BBC News
