MOGADISHU, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Somalia National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) on Sunday killed 21 al-Shabab militants and wounded dozens in central Somalia, the government said.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism said the security operation was conducted in Galka Salimow village after the country's intelligence agency received prior information of al-Shabab's intention to carry out attacks against the locals.
The ministry said about 200 members of the al-Shabab group died last week following a relentless onslaught by Somali troops.
"This is a big blow to terrorists and it means that within four days the National Army has killed almost 200 members of al-Shabab Khawarij," the ministry said in a statement issued in Mogadishu the capital of Somalia.
The ministry expressed gratitude to the Somali people for recognizing the significance of the collective resolve to eliminate al-Shabab militants.
The latest assault came after an al-Shabab suicide bomber blew himself up at a military training center in the capital, Mogadishu, killing at least five people and wounding 11 others on Saturday evening.
Al-Shabab group was driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 but it is still capable of conducting attacks, targeting government installations, hotels, restaurants, and public spaces. ■