MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Somali military on Tuesday said its forces killed several Al-Shabaab fighters and destroyed equipment during security operation in Middle Shabelle region.
Somali forces have recently stepped up the fight against Al-Shabaab fighters in Southern Somalia.
Gen. Dahir Adan Elmi, Somali National Army (SNA) chief said Somali military carried out operations to hunt down Al-Shabaab in villages along River Shabelle.
The forces destroyed Al-Shabaab boats and rafts which the fighters have been using to cross the river.
“Somali military killed several Al-Shabaab members and destroyed rafts and boats,” Gen. Elmi said. “We also towed some of their rafts and took them to Bal’ad.”
The claims of the military comes hours after U.S. military said it killed about 60 Al-Shabaab fighters in an airstrike that took place in central Somalia.
In a statement from the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), the military said the strike was conducted in coordination with the government of Somalia.
“We currently assess this airstrike killed approximately 60 terrorists,” the statement read. It said the airstrike was the largest attack against Al-Shabab since November of last year when another U.S. airstrike killed about 100 fighters of the Islamist militant group.
Al-Shabab has yet to comment on the airstrike or reported fatalities.
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