MOGADISHU, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The Somali National Army, with support from international partners, killed 25 al-Shabaab militants and wounded 18 others in a targeted airstrike in central Somalia, the Ministry of Defense said on Saturday.
The ministry said the overnight operation took place in the Suullaay area, located roughly 17 km south of Teedaan in the Hiran region.
It confirmed that four militants surrendered to the military during the operation, while several other fighters fled the area after suffering a significant defeat, abandoning their weapons as they escaped.
"This operation forms part of the ongoing offensive by the Somali National Armed Forces, supported by international partners, to degrade al-Shabaab's operational capabilities and pursue the group's remaining elements in order to strengthen security and stability across the country," the ministry said. ■