Somali army kills Al-Shabaab militants in offensive as country holds key election

Members of Somali military taking part of anti-al-Shabaab operation near Kismayo [Photo: State media]

KISMAYO, Somalia - At least ten suspected Al-Shabaab militants were on Thursday killed by Somali National Army [SNA] in Kismayo, Jubaland, it has now emerged, following an operation which was carried out as the country battles to eliminate the group.

The attack took place in Berhani, 60 km west of Kismayo, killing at least 10 Al-Shabaab members and wounding at least 10 others. No member of government troops was killed or injured during the operation, military said.

"Ten Al-Shabab militants were killed and 4 hideouts destroyed in a planned security operation conducted by Somali National Army and Jubbaland’s regional forces in Berhani, Dharkay, Yaq-anole and Sariraha villages under Kismayo district on Friday," state media reported.

The attack began with a landmine targeting a convoy of troops, and the blast hit two of the convoy's vehicles. After the blasts, there was a gun battle between the two sides that lasted for more than 20 minutes, reports indicate.

Jubaland has been a major hub for the militants but multiple security operations carried out by local and foreign troops have significantly reduced the threat of the group. Al-Shabaab has a huge presence in Lower and Middle Jubba.

The Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] which mans most parts of Jubaland managed to liberate Kismayo, the interim capital of Jubaland, in 2012. Since then, the troops have been trying to protect the region from falling to Al-Shabaab again.

GAROWE ONLINE