MOGADISHU, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Somali National Army, backed by Jubaland State security forces, killed 27 al-Shabaab militants during operations across Lower and Middle Juba in southern Somalia, authorities said on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Defense said the joint forces also seized a significant cache of weapons and equipment, including machine guns, RPGs, AK-47s and landmines that the terrorists had planned to use to stage attacks in the region.
"During the course of these operations, airstrikes supported by international partners were carried out in parallel, effectively intensifying the targeting of al-Shabaab militants hiding in those areas," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry reaffirmed that operations will continue until the region is fully secured.
The allied forces have intensified operations against al-Shabaab insurgents in south-central Somalia in recent months. ■