MOGADISHU, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Somalia has confirmed that its security forces killed over 130 al-Shabaab militants following fierce fighting in the southern region of the country on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Defence said on Thursday that the Somali National Army's special forces, backed by Jubaland security forces and international partners, also repelled the attack on the military base on the strategic island of Kuday.
"Security in Kuday and its surrounding areas is now fully under the control of the Somali National Army, which remains on full alert and continues stabilization operations to prevent any residual threats," the ministry said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
The ministry said military vehicles and weapons abandoned by the fleeing militants involved in the suicide-style attack were seized.
Residents said the assault began in the early hours of Wednesday and lasted 24 hours, starting with explosions before direct clashes between government troops and the militants.
Al-Shabaab militants claimed to have killed 113 soldiers, wounded 47 others, and captured 17 soldiers after taking control of the area.
The latest joint operation came as Somali security forces have been ramping up offensives against al-Shabaab militants across Somalia in the recent past.
Local soldiers, backed by international partners, have been conducting joint operations in central and southern regions as government forces move to gain a foothold. ■
