MOGADISHU, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Somali National Army backed by international forces killed more than 20 al-Shabab militants in a joint operation in the Kurtunware district of southern Somalia, the Ministry of Defense said in a brief statement Friday.
The statement said the operation, which took place at 3 a.m., local time, Friday, targeted two houses where al-Shabab militants were assembling militias and explosives.
The al-Shabab still controls some parts of southern and central Somalia and continues to carry out attacks despite increased onslaught by government forces. ■
