Somali National Army (SNA) said its forces backed by both local and international forces killed 42 al-Shabab militants in an operation carried out in Mahaday district, southern Somalia.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism announced this in a statement issued in Mogadishu, on Tuesday.
The ministry stated that the forces killed 27 of the militants the previous night and 15 others Tuesday morning in the same location.
It said the military forces recovered weapons during the 30-hour operation, which targeted al-Shabab commanders from their hideouts.
Read Related News:
Somali arrest al-Shabab head in charge of explosives
Security forces kill 15, end hotel siege in Mogadishu
AU mission develops guidelines to help Somali police combat crime
“The Somali government is committed to eliminating terrorists in the country,” the ministry said.
The operation comes two days after heavy fighting between SNA, backed by pro-government militia Ma’awisley and al-Shabab militants in the Hiran region under the same Hirshabelle State in Somalia.
The Somali government forces have also been conducting offensive operations against al-Shabab militants in central and southern Somalia.
The forces have been flushing them out of several former strongholds, which they had held over decades. (Xinhua)
Do you have a flair for Citizenship Journalism? Share story(ies) of happenings in your area with The NewsZenith on WhatsApp: 08033668669 or thenewszenith@gmail.com
