MOGADISHU, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Somali National Army (SNA) said Friday its forces killed 27 al-Shabab militants in a military operation conducted near Awdheegle district in southern Somalia's Lower Shabelle region.
The troops who were backed by international partners also destroyed the militants' hideouts, resulting in the elimination of the militants who had gathered at a local farm to carry out an attack on the locals.
The SNA commanders who led the joint operation told the Somali News Agency that the latest onslaught on the militants will be sustained as part of efforts to ensure the security of the region.
The allied forces are engaged in the second phase of the joint military operations against the al-Shabab militant group following the completion of the first phase, which liberated areas in central and southern Somalia that were under the control of the group. ■
