MOGADISHU, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The Somali National Army (SNA), backed by international partners, killed 27 al-Shabaab militants and wounded dozens more during a series of airstrikes in the last two days in southern Somalia, the government confirmed on Thursday.
"The operations also destroyed vehicles, weapons, military supplies and positions used by the terrorist group to organize and carry out attacks," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
The ministry lauded the international partners for their continued support in combating and eliminating terrorism.
The military operations coincided with Somalia's celebrations marking its 66th anniversary of independence, while the capital, Mogadishu, remained peaceful. ■