Somalia army kills 30 al-Shabab fighters in southern region

The federal government of Somalia confirmed that the national army forces killed 30 al-Shabab fighters and injured several others after heavy fighting between the two sides in southern Somalia.

Military commanders told the Somalia news agency that the army backed by pro-government militia, Ma’awisley, repulsed the group during the operation.

They, however, did not disclose the number of casualties suffered by the Somalia National Army or local militia as the al-Shabab group claimed to have killed 20 soldiers and wounded 10 others and burned two vehicles during the fight.

The government forces have intensified their attacks against al-Shabab since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared an all-out war against the militants last year.

The president has vowed that the military operations to flush out al-Shabab militants from their strongholds will be intensified to stop extortion of the Somali people and the spread of propaganda, intimidation, and extremism in Somalia.